Post-blepharoplasty dry eye

Dry eye is often seen secondary to the complications of lagophthalmos, eyelid retraction, or lacrimal gland injury. However, individuals with preexisting eye dry syndrome can have exacerbations or increased severity of their symptoms, even when there is no frank lagophthalmos. Patients who have undergone laser vision correction are at an increased risk for developing dry eye following blepharoplasty. In this population of patients, extreme care should be taken to avoid lagophthalmos and lower eyelid retraction. However, even without lagophthalmos, this population is at risk for developing significant dry eye after blepharoplasty. It is advisable that blepharoplasty should not be attempted sooner than 6 months following laser vision correction. Patients in this population should be identified during the preoperative assessment and informed of the potential for increased risk of complications.