What happens if my eyes don’t close after eyelid plastic surgery?

Lagophthalmos is the medical term that we like to use to describe this complication. It is quite common in upper eyelid blepharoplasty, although it may also occur after an aggressive brow lift operation. Lagophthalmos is caused by excision of too much eyelid skin during a functional or, more commonly, aesthetic blepharoplasty. If the patient cannot close the eyes after eyelid plastic surgery the cornea will dry out. This will cause significant eye irritation, light sensitivity, tearing and a foreign body sensation. If lagophthalmos is mild and the cornea remains healthy, the condition may be treated medically by applying preservative-free artificial tears and ophthalmic ointments. Scar revision with skin graft placement is the only solution for severe lagophthalmos.