Eyelid Reconstruction

Whether there is a lesion near your eye, or have a loss of function related to facial paralysis, eyelid reconstruction surgery may be the best solution to restore the natural appearance and function of the eyes. At Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery – a division of U.S. Dermatology Partners, we offer eyelid reconstructive surgery performed by plastic surgeons with years of experience. You can learn more about this surgical treatment on this page. When you’re ready to get started, don’t hesitate to contact our team to schedule a consultation.

What Is Eyelid Reconstruction?

Eyelid reconstruction may be recommended in a variety of situations, including removing moles and lesions, repairing Mohs surgery defects, restoring appearance after trauma, and addressing poor function related to facial paralysis including dryness, tearing, droopy eyelids, and loss of blink. Eyelid reconstruction can be used on the upper, lower, or both eyelids, depending on need.

Several different procedures may be performed as part of eyelid reconstruction, including:

• Tarsoconjunctival Flap – this involves pinning the upper and lower eyelids together for improved positioning and blinking
• Ectropion Repair – this involves repositioning a drooping lower eyelid.
• Tissue Transfer – this involves grafting skin, muscle, or cartilage from the donor site as part of the eyelid reconstruction process.

Benefits of Eyelid Reconstruction

Some of the many benefits of eyelid reconstruction include:

• Improving the appearance of the face and eyes
• Renewing eyelid function
• Restoring vision

Recovery After Eyelid Reconstruction

Immediately following surgery, your eyes will be swollen and bruised. Use cold compresses, keep your head elevated, and take pain relievers as directed during healing. It’s also important to moisturize the eyes as they can become dry. Lubricating eye drops and gels significantly improve dryness and irritation. Following upper eyelid reconstruction, patients can return to work after a few days. For lower eyelid surgery or combined eyelid reconstruction surgery, recovery takes a bit longer, and most patients will need to take at least two weeks off from work. Other activities can be reintroduced as tolerated after the first three weeks. Swelling and bruising will gradually subside over three to six weeks following surgery. The final results are typically revealed after two months following treatment.

Risks Associated with Eyelid Reconstruction

By working with a skilled professional cosmetic surgeon, you significantly reduce the risks associated with surgery. However, even the best cosmetic surgeons can’t prevent every surgical risk. Before you decide to proceed with surgery, discuss all potential risks with your surgeon and follow all aftercare instructions to minimize side effects.

Be aware that there are always risks when you move forward with surgery, including:

• Infection – the area around the eyes can be especially difficult to keep clean and sanitized during healing. This increases the risk of infection.
• Scarring – your surgeon will hide the incisions within the eye’s natural creases as much as possible, but there may still be some visible scar tissue after healing.
• Deeper Tissue Injury – nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and other structures can be damaged unintentionally during surgery.
• Numbness – loss of sensation around the surgical site that may be temporary or permanent.
• Vision Impairment – short or long-term loss of vision.