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Surgeon discusses basics of lower eyelid blepharoplasty
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WAILEA, Hawaii — A surgeon gave fellow colleagues perspective on how to safely perform lower eyelid blepharoplasty here at the Hawaiian Eye 2015 meeting.
Wendy W. Lee
“There are unrealistic expectations out there and some of them are from body dysmorphic disorders. We have to learn how to say no,” Wendy W. Lee, MD, said.
To prepare patients for blepharoplasty, ophthalmologists should discontinue anticoagulants, inform patients of risks, discuss intraoperative experience and discuss postoperative appearance.
“Let them know that they are going to bruised and swollen and will have ecchymosis. As long as they expect it, they will take it much easier,” Lee said.
The two main ways of performing blepharoplasty are to take the subciliary approach or the transconjunctival approach. The subciliary approach has direct visualization of fat pads, has easier access to lateral fat pad, is associated with high incidence of postoperative eyelid malpositions and has more bruising and swelling. The transconjunctival approach requires no skin incision, preserves orbicularis and septum, and has less bruising and edema.
“Be familiar with surgical and nonsurgical options to offer your patients and know to avoid and treat complications,” Lee said.
Potential postoperative complications are chemosis, diplopia, cautery fire, infection and orbital hemorrhage. —
Disclosure: Lee reports that she is a consultant for Allergan Medical, Elizabeth Arden, Merz Aesthetics and Ophthalmology Web.