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Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery: Causes and Correction

Writer's picture: Saonanon ContentSaonanon Content

Key Takeaway


  • Heavy eyelids after double eyelid surgery is caused by the excessive removal of eyelid fat and suturing the eyelid crease too high during the surgery

  • There’s other causes of eyes won’t open after the double eyelid surgery including: droopy eyelids, swelling, pulling scars, eye muscle damage, and patient’s age.

  • Heavy eyelids after double eyelid surgery can be corrected by blepharoplasty, brow lift surgery, and double eyelid surgery.

  • Having heavy eye corrections at Saonanon Clinic, the procedure performed by specialized doctors. Ensure that the risk of complications will be reduced. Thus, the clinic and equipment meet high standards, making every surgery surely safe.

After double eyelid surgery, various complications can occur, including heavy eyelids and the eyes won’t open. This article will explore the causes of the inability to open the eyes after double eyelid surgery, along with potential solutions and preventive measures.

What Is Double Eyelid Surgery

What Is Double Eyelid Surgery

Double eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that modifies the upper eyelid to create a crease, resulting in a double eyelid. There are various surgical techniques tailored to individual cases. 

However, if double eyelid surgery is performed by an inexperienced surgeon or if post-operative care is inappropriate, short-term and long-term complications may arise, such as eyelid drooping, eye strain, heavy eyelids, the eyes won’t open, and post-operative eye irritation.

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery

Heavy eyelids after double eyelid surgery could be due to complications that may arise during or after the procedure. The cause might be the excessive removal of eyelid fat and suturing the eyelid crease too high during the surgery can lead to the formation of adhesions in the muscles responsible for opening the eye. Thus, The complication may include: eyes won’t open, droopy eyelids, and temporary obstruction of the visible part of the eye by the upper eyelid

Symptoms of Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery

Symptoms of Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery

Here are some key signs of eyes won’t open after double eyelid surgery to look out for:

  • Difficulty opening one or both eyes.

  • Severe heavy eyelids, requiring you to tilt your head back to see.

  • Obstruction of the upper field of vision due to drooping eyelids.

  • Feeling pain around the eyes.

  • Burning sensation in the eyes, excessive dryness, and difficulty opening the eyes.

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery, Is It Dangerous?

Heavy eyelids after double eyelid surgery, whether it's due to heavy eyelids or eye irritation, it might be temporary and cause no long-term harm beyond discomfort.

However, if these symptoms won’t heal within 3-4 weeks, it could potentially lead to long-term eye problems. The symptom of eyes won’t open after surgery could signal damage to the eye-opening muscles, directly affecting vision. Over time, this may lead to eye irritation and excessive tearing.

Causes of Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery

Causes of Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery

The causes of heavy eyelids and eyes won’t open after double eyelid surgery may be various including:

1. Droopy eyelids

In cases where a patient experiences eyelid drooping after double eyelid surgery, it's often due to pre-existing weakness in the eye-opening muscles. After the double eyelid surgery, excess skin and fat may have been present on the eyelids. After removing this excess tissue during the procedure, the brow position can drop, causing the eyelids to droop, feel heavy eyelids, and eyes won’t fully open.

2. Swelling

Double eyelid surgery involves making an incision along the eyelid crease. While some swelling and bruising are normal, in certain cases, significant swelling and tension on the eyelids can temporarily cause eyes won’t fully open. However, these heavy eyelids usually go away within 1 to 3 weeks.

3. Pulling Scars 

If the incision for double eyelid surgery extends too far down the eyelid, and if the individual is prone to scarring or has developed an infection, raised scars can form. These scars can cause tightness, a heavy feeling in the eyelids, including eyes won’t open.

4. Eye Muscles Damage

There is a risk of damaging the levator muscle during double eyelid surgery. This muscle helps lift the eyelid. If it is damaged, it can cause the droopy eyelid and make  eyes won’t fully open. This often occurs when the eyelid crease is sutured too high.

5. Patient's Age

While double eyelid surgery can make the eyes appear younger and more vibrant, it cannot stop the aging process. As we age, the muscles in our face are weakened, including those that control the eyelids. This can lead to eyelid drooping and cause heavy eyelids.

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections

If you experience long-term side effect after double eyelid surgery which include the eyes won’t open or heavy eyelids, there are several corrective procedures available such as:

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

In cases where patients had droopy eyelids before the double eyelid surgery, this can contribute to the development of heavy eyelids and eyes won’t open after the procedure. A corrective procedure by eyelid surgery can address this issue. This involves removing excess eyelid skin and repairing or strengthening the eyelid-opening muscle to restore a more open and alert appearance.

Brow Lift Surgery

In some cases, patients may experience both eyelid drooping and brow ptosis, causing the distance between the eyebrow and eyelid to decrease and leading to more severe eyelid drooping and heavy eyelids. In these situations, a brow lift can be performed to elevate both the eyebrow and the upper eyelid, alleviating the eyelid drooping and improving the ability to open the eyes.

Double Eyelid Surgery

Double eyelid surgery is a procedure performed at least six months after the initial surgery to correct any issues with the eyelid position. This surgery aims to reposition drooping eyelids, adjust the function of the eyelid-opening muscles, reduce the width of the double eyelid crease, and remove any adhesions that may be causing difficulty in opening the eyes.

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid  Surgery, How to Prevent?

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid  Surgery, How to Prevent?

Double eyelid surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries risks and potential complications. Individuals considering eyelid surgery should prioritize self-care both before and after the procedure to minimize the risk of complications, including heavy eyelids and eyes won’t open. Self-care measures can include:

Double Eyelid Surgery Preparation to Prevent Heavy Eyes

  • Inform your doctor and staff about any allergies, medical conditions, and previous surgeries.

  • Avoid blood-thinning medications for at least a week before surgery to minimize bleeding.

  • Stop vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies for at least two weeks, as these can increase post-operative swelling and bruising.

  • Wash your hair before surgery, so you'll need to avoid getting your incisions wet for about a week afterward.

  • Avoid makeup on the day of surgery, especially around the eyes.

  • Refrain from wearing contact lenses for two weeks after surgery. If you have vision problems, wear glasses instead.

Double Eyelid Surgery After Care to Prevent Heavy Eyes

  • Keep the incision dry until the stitches are removed to reduce the risk of infection.   

  • Clean the incision with a saline solution using a cotton swab 1-2 times daily.   

  • Apply gentle pressure to the incision with a gauze pad for 3-5 minutes at a time if bleeding occurs in the first few hours after surgery.   

  • Use a cold compress wrapped in a soft cloth for the first 2-3 days to reduce bleeding and swelling. Starting on the fourth day, use a warm compress to reduce bruising.   

  • Sleep with your head elevated on multiple pillows to minimize swelling and inflammation.   

  • Avoid spicy foods, pickled foods, and alcoholic beverages.   

  • Take all prescribed medications as directed by your doctor.

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections at Saonanon Clinic: Techniques and Benefits

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections at Saonanon Clinic: Techniques and Benefits

Saonanon Clinic is a specialized clinic in Bangkok focusing on plastic surgery and ophthalmology, with particular expertise in Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections surgery. Here, we prioritize the results and satisfaction of every client above all else. Choosing to have Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections at Saonanon Clinic is better than elsewhere for the following reasons:

  • Specialized doctors experienced in Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections surgery. Every case is handled by Associate Professor Preamjit Saonanon, MD, an expert in oculoplastic surgery.

  • The clinic is clean and meets high standards.

  • Provide surgical reviews that allow you to compare the before and after results.

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections at Saonanon Clinic: Before and After

Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections at Saonanon Clinic: Before and After
Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections at Saonanon Clinic: Before and After
Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections at Saonanon Clinic: Before and After

Summary

Heavy eyelids and eyes won’t open after double eyelid surgery can occur by excessive fat removal, high crease placement, eyelid drooping, swelling, scarring, muscle damage, or aging. Corrective procedures include blepharoplasty, brow lifts, and revision double eyelid surgery.

Saonanon Clinic offers heavy eyes after double eyelid surgery corrections by specialized doctors and advanced facilities to minimize risks and ensure patient safety.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heavy Eyes after Double Eyelid Surgery Corrections (FAQs)

This article compiles frequently asked questions along with their answers to clarify any further doubts about heavy eyes after double eyelids surgery. Let's take a look.

Do heavy eyes after double eyelid surgery resolve on its own?

If your eyes won’t open after double eyelid surgery and it's not due to swelling, and if this condition persists for more than 6 months post-surgery, it usually won't heal on its own. You’ll need to find a doctor to do corrections.

Is there a risk of heavy eyes again after the correction?

There is a risk if you only do the eyelid skin addressing during the revision. Therefore, if you have heavy eyelids, the underlying eye muscles should also be corrected to prevent the recurrence of this issue.

Are there other potential complications after eyes after double eyelid surgery correction?

There may be other complications after a double eyelid revision surgery, depending on the surgeon's technique and your pre and post operative care.

Are there common complications after double eyelid surgery?

A common complication after double eyelid surgery is the eyes won’t open. In the first 2-3 days, this is usually due to swelling and bruising, which will resolve on its own within a month.

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