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Post Operative Care Instructions for Eyelid Surgery

Elevating the Head.

The day of your surgery, after returning home, it is helpful to keep the head elevated above the heart for the first 24 hours. Sitting in a chair or recliner is good. For sleeping, use two or three pillows to provide mild elevation of the head for the first night.

Cold packs.

Ice packs are very important to decrease swelling, and reduce bruising. They should be used for at least 30 minutes out of every hour for the first day. You do not need to be woken-up to use cold packs when you are sleeping. But if you do awaken, 30 minutes of cold application would be appropriate. Frozen peas or corn in ziplock baggies make very good cold packs that conform well to the eye areas. Change them as needed to keep cold. Be careful not to freeze the skin. A paper or thin cloth towel can help to protect the skin. The second day ice packs should be used for 30 minutes every two hours, or more frequently if desired.

Pain.

Tylenol Extra Strength (500 mg.) is usually sufficient for discomfort after eyelid surgery if ice or cold packs are being used properly. You may take 2 every four hours as needed. The Laser Center or Dr. Van Camp should be notified if there is severe pain unresponsive to these measures.

Bruising.

Bruising or bleeding is usually mild after laser eyelid surgery. A moderate amount of bruising is still normal and not a cause for alarm. Be sure to continue avoiding all aspirin containing medications and NSAIDS such as Advil, Motrin, Alleve, etc. for at least three days after surgery. If there is accumulation of blood within the eyelid that prevents you fromng the eye, then notify Dr. Van Camp promptly.

Vision.

Some blurry vision is expected and normal on the first day due to swelling and the local anesthetic medications. Check to see that you can see enough to count your fingers with each eye. If you cannot count your fingers with each eye then you should notify Dr. Van Camp immediately and be evaluated by an ophthalmologist at the emergency room. (This would be extremely rare.)

Medications.

Complete any prescribed medications that may have been prescribed for you. If you have sutures to be removed this will be done between days 4 and 7 after the procedure.

Makeup and cleansing.

Do not use any makeup over the incisions until they are well healed. You may cleanse gently with Q tips as needed, just be gentle. You may apply a thin layer of healing ointment such as NuCelle or Aquaphor with a q-tip to prevent crusting along the incisions. When you do resume using makeup, obtain new eye make up and mascara to replace old ones. They may contain bacteria from prior use.