Revisional Surgery

Revisional Eyelid Surgery in OKC

No surgeon intends for a patient to have a less than satisfactory outcome. Occasionally, problems may arise following cosmetic or functional eyelid surgery. Such problems may include:

• Not being able to close the eyes completely (lagophthalmos)
• Abnormal or inadequate blinking
• Dry eye
• Tearing
• Blurry vision
• Eyelid retraction – excess white showing above or below the iris (colored portion) of the eye
• Canthal rounding – rounded outer corners of the eyes that look unnatural
• Unwanted “surgical” appearance

What Is Revisional Eyelid Surgery?

Revisional eyelid surgery is performed to address functional or cosmetic concerns of patients who have had problematic or unsatisfactory results from previous eyelid or facial surgery, including:

• Blepharoplasty
• Brow Lift
• Ptosis Repair
• Cancer Removal

It is critical that revisional eyelid surgery be performed by a specialist who understands the important role the eyelid plays in protecting the front of the eye. The oculoplastic surgeons at Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) are extensively trained as both ophthalmologists and plastic surgeons and have an expert understanding in normal eyelid anatomy and function and the close interplay with the surrounding anatomy.

Why Is Revisional Eyelid Surgery Needed?

There are a number of factors that might contribute to the need for revisional eyelid surgery, including:

• A surgeon’s lack of experience working around the eyes – Some surgeons only perform a handful of eyelid surgeries per year and lack familiarity with how surgical techniques and wound healing can negatively impact the form and function of the eyelids. The oculoplastic surgeons at DMEI, by comparison, each perform hundreds of eyelid surgeries annually with a focus on eyelid function and overall eye health.
• Outdated surgical techniques – It may be difficult for surgeons who perform surgery on multiple areas of the body to remain up-to-date on the eyelids if these cases comprise an overall small percentage of their practice. Our surgeons not only stay informed on the latest techniques, they are responsible for teaching these techniques to the next generation of surgeons.
• Taking a one-size-fits-all approach – Some surgeons perform the exact same surgery on every patient with regards to incision placement and the amount of skin and fat removed. Our surgeons tailor their approach to each individual, and even each eye, in order to achieve a functional and aesthetic outcome. This is particularly important with regards to Asian blepharoplasty, which requires knowledge of anatomical intricacies and specifics in approach that are quite different from standard blepharoplasty.
• Doing too many procedures at once – A surgeon might try to address multiple facial issues all at the same time, including the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, brows, cheeks, forehead, and lower face. This makes it hard to account for how the eyelids will be impacted by the cumulative effects of the surgeries. Oculoplastic surgeons will limit the number of procedures that take place at one time in order to maintain proper eyelid form and function.
• Infection and scarring – In certain instances, the surgical procedure may have been performed perfectly, but something went wrong in the healing process. If someone develops an unfortunate infection, the results can range from minimal to disastrous. Some folks may have a propensity to scar in some areas but not in others. Discovery of this problem around the face and eyes has functional and social implications. If there is a way to improve your facial form and function, your DMEI oculoplastic surgeons will be able to provide counsel and management.