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Blepharoplasty: Understanding patient expectations results in higher patient satisfaction
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WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Understanding patient expectations and following simple surgical steps will increase patient satisfaction after blepharoplasty, according to one speaker here.
“A great result in an unhappy patient can be avoided by clearly understanding the patient’s expectations,” Andrew R. Harrison, MD, said in the Oculoplastics Symposium: Principles of Aesthetic Oculoplastics at Hawaiian Eye.
Andrew R. Harrison
Harrison encourages ophthalmologists to use a mirror and have the patient show you what is bothering them.
“Mirrors are critical in the evaluation to ensure that you are ‘seeing’ what the patient wants you to see,” he says.
After blepharoplasty, Harrison advises to apply an antibiotic ophthalmic ointment to the suture line, ensure patients apply cold compresses to the upper eyelids for 48 hours, prescribe pain medications and provide patients with written instructions.
Patients should be made aware of the signs and symptoms of orbital hemorrhage after surgery, which includes severe pain, tense lid swelling, decreased vision and persistent bleeding, Harrison said.
“It is important first to understand the patient expectations and following the simple surgical steps. That will leave with a happy patient, nice aesthetic result with no complications,” he said. – by Nhu Te
Reference:
Harrison A. Bullet proof upper blepharoplasty. Presented at: Hawaiian Eye 2016 meeting; Jan. 16, 2016; Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Disclosure: Harrison reports no relevant financial interests.