Eyelid surgery is a delicate procedure on one of the most sensitive and defining areas of your face. Proper post-operative care not only speeds up recovery but also helps preserve your eyes’ natural, youthful look, minimize swelling and bruising, and ensure long-lasting results. So, what should you pay attention to, and which small steps make the biggest difference for faster healing? Here’s everything you need to know to take care of your eyes after surgery…
Following surgery, thin tapes (e.g., brown paper tape or small strips) will be applied to your eyelids, and eye ointment will be applied to protect your eyes.
Applying cool, wet compresses to your eyelids for no more than 15 minutes every hour for the first 72 hours will help reduce swelling and bruising.
Sleep with your head elevated 30-40° and sleep on your back whenever possible.
It’s important to rest without getting any water around your eyes the first day after surgery. You can gently wipe your face, but do not wash your eyelids.
Getting up and taking short walks will improve circulation, but don’t exert yourself.
You may experience blurred vision or difficulty focusing in the first few days; this is due to the eye ointment used and post-operative swelling and usually resolves within 2-3 days.
You may experience dryness, burning, or a stinging sensation in your eyes; use the artificial tear drops prescribed for you regularly.
Unless directed by your doctor, do not wear contact lenses for the first week. If you must wear glasses, be careful not to put pressure on the surgical area.
Do not remove any post-operative eye patches or sterile strips for 5-7 days; they should remain in place until the stitches are removed.
Dietary Recommendations
If you have had general anesthesia, consume light liquids such as water, fruit juice, or soup in the first hours after awakening.
If you are not nauseous, you can transition to soft, solid foods (such as puree, yogurt, or pudding) within a few hours.
Avoiding very hot, spicy, or heavy foods for the first 24 hours will aid your recovery.
Eat small portions and gradually return to your normal diet as you find it tolerable.
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid constipation; inactivity and pain medications after surgery can increase the risk of constipation.
Eat high-fiber foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains); if necessary, you can use laxatives after consulting your doctor.
Don’t forget to eat a balanced protein diet; eggs, meat, fish, and legumes support tissue repair and healing.
Pain Management and Medications
Pain is generally minimal after eyelid surgery. You may experience a stinging, burning, and tightness in your eyelids in the first few days; you can use prescribed painkillers as prescribed by your doctor to reduce this.
Applying antibiotic eye ointment or drops to the area around your eyes as often as your doctor recommends can both reduce the risk of infection and provide relief.
Use artificial tears regularly to prevent dry eyes; it’s especially important during the first week.
Avoid aspirin and similar blood-thinning medications for 1-2 weeks; these medications can increase bleeding at the surgical site. If you are taking a blood-thinning medication regularly, follow your doctor’s instructions regarding when to restart it.
To avoid increasing intraocular pressure after surgery, avoid excessive exertion in the first few days; for example, keep your mouth open during forceful coughing or sneezing.
Dressing and Eye Care
At the end of the surgery, thin strips of tape and, if necessary, small gauze pads will be applied to your eyelid incisions. Keep these tapes in place until your doctor removes them and ensure they remain dry.
Your eye patch and dressings will be checked by our healthcare team throughout your stay in Turkey.
Upon returning to your country, if the tapes haven’t dissolved on their own, they will be removed around the 5th-7th day along with your stitches.
Stitches are usually removed 5-7 days after surgery. If the lower eyelid incisions are internal, there may be no visible stitches. After the stitches are removed, you can replace the thin strips or discontinue use.
Hygiene
You should be careful to keep the eyelid area clean for the first few days.
You can gently remove any debris from the base of your eyelashes by dipping a Q-tip in warm, boiled water as often as your doctor prescribes.
Gently wipe the stitch lines with a damp, clean cotton swab, then apply the antibiotic eye ointment prescribed for you.
Bath/Shower
Avoid wetting the head and neck area for the first 3 days after surgery; do not take a full shower.
If you need to wash your hair during this time, tilt your head back and wash with assistance, avoiding contact with water or soap in your eyes.
You can maintain body hygiene by spot cleaning.
Using Contact Lenses and Glasses
Do not wear contact lenses for at least 2 weeks. After this period, be careful not to strain your eyelids.
It is okay to wear glasses; you can even wear sunglasses for protection. However, be careful not to let the nose pads of your glasses touch the incisions in your lower eyelids.
Makeup
Do not wear eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow, etc.) for the first 2 weeks.
You can apply light makeup to other areas of your face.
Swelling, Bruising, and Vision
After eyelid surgery, swelling and bruising in and around your upper and lower eyelids are expected. Swelling and bruising may increase in the first 2-3 days; the area around your eyes and even the whites of your eyes (sclera) may appear red. This is completely normal.
Red bruises, especially those that appear on the whites of your eyes (subconjunctival hemorrhages), usually heal completely on their own within 7-10 days.
Apply a cold compress and keep your head elevated as much as possible to help the swelling subside more quickly.
After your bruises stop expanding, you can gently apply herbal products such as arnica gel to the bruises.
Slight watering and bloodshot tears are normal in the first few days. Never rub or strain your eyes.
Vision
After surgery, you may experience mild blurring of vision and difficulty focusing. This is usually due to the eye ointment and swelling used and resolves within a few days.
You may experience light sensitivity; In this case, rest in dim light and wear quality sunglasses in sunny weather.
Use the eye drops prescribed to you regularly to prevent dry eyes.
Emergency Symptoms
If you experience sudden increased pain in your eye, vision loss, or double vision, this may be an emergency; notify us or a healthcare provider immediately.
While this is a very rare complication, early intervention is extremely important.
In addition, severe headaches, nausea, or vomiting (especially if accompanied by eye pain) may also be significant; if this occurs, inform your doctor immediately.
Exercise and Activity
Recovery after eyelid surgery is generally rapid, but you should be aware of some restrictions from the first few days onward.
Avoid strenuous exercise, running, and weightlifting for the first week. Tilting your head down or engaging in yoga poses can increase blood pressure around the eye; therefore, avoid these types of activities for the first 14-21 days.
Resting at home for 2-3 days after surgery, then light indoor activities.
At the end of the first week, you can begin short walks and return to your low-impact daily activities.
You can return to desk work (such as computer use) starting in the second week; however, if your eyes tire easily, take frequent breaks and avoid prolonged screen time.
Avoid strenuous sports such as swimming, intense cardio exercises, and dancing for 2-3 weeks.
Be careful not to sneez or cough too hard for the first 10 days, as they can increase intraocular pressure. If necessary, you can use a cough suppressant recommended by your doctor.
Wearing protective sunglasses is recommended in sunny or windy weather.
Avoid sexual activity and strenuous physical contact for two weeks after surgery; this will support your healing process and reduce the risk of complications.
Scar Care
Because blepharoplasty incisions are placed in the natural crease of the upper eyelid and just below the eyelashes on the lower eyelid, scars are generally not very noticeable.
They initially appear as fine pink-red lines that fade over time. Within approximately 6-12 months, scars become more skin-colored.
Because the eyelid skin is thin and well-vascularized, scarring is rare, and most patients are aesthetically satisfied.
However, it is crucial to protect yourself from direct sunlight in the first few months: Wear a hat and sunglasses, apply a high-SPF 30+ cream, and avoid tanning beds.
After the stitches are removed and the wound is completely closed, you can apply silicone gel to the scars several times a day, if your doctor recommends it.
Scars after blepharoplasty are expected to be cosmetically unnoticeable; most patients will have difficulty noticing these fine lines within 1-2 months.
Emergencies
If any of the following occur after surgery, notify us immediately or seek emergency medical attention:
High fever and signs of infection: A fever above 38.5°C (100.5°F), chills, increasing redness and swelling at the incision site, or foul-smelling discharge may indicate infection. In such cases, prompt intervention is crucial.
Eye Emergency: Seek medical attention immediately if you experience sudden visual disturbances (blurred or double vision), dilated pupils or loss of response to light, or severe eye pain. While these symptoms are rare, they can be signs of serious complications.
Bleeding: Persistent or increasing bright red blood from eyelid incisions requires immediate evaluation. Small leaks are normal, but persistent bleeding can be dangerous.
Severe nausea, vomiting, or headache: Persistent vomiting or a very severe headache, especially accompanied by eye pain, requires immediate intervention.
These symptoms are rare, but when they occur, prompt intervention significantly reduces the risk of complications.