Eyelid surgery: What is chemosis and how to treat it

Chemosis is a condition that someone can experience post any surgery around the eyes. This SlideShare explains more about the condition and how to treat it.

1. Eyelid Surgery: What is Chemosis
and how to treat it

2. 1. What is chemosis?

3. It’s the jelly like swelling (edema) of
the conjunctiva that lines the inner
part of the eyelid.
Most of the time, chemosis appears
on a small area on the outer corner of
the sclera (the white part of the eye).

4. As a result of dry eye following surgery,
the conjunctiva becomes irritated and
swells. This increases exposure of the
conjunctiva as it can billow out of the
eyelid like jelly.

5. Often the area swells so much that
you can’t close the eye properly. This
can cause tearing, however the real
underlying problem is dryness and
irritation of the eyes.

6. When can chemosis occur?

7. It can happen with any surgery
around the eyes.

8. Surgical procedures can disrupt the
lymphatic drainage of the eyelids, not
allowing the fluid to drain properly. If
enough of the channels are blocked
following surgery, the fluid will drain very
slowly and the chemosis will persist.

9. Chemosis develops most commonly
in about 5-10% of patients who’ve had
lower blepharoplasty. If only the upper
lids have been operated on, it’s very
rare for it to occur.

10. If additional procedures have been performed
then chemosis may be more common.
Procedures can include:
• Canthopexy: tightening of the corners of the
eyelids
• Canthoplasty: tightening of the lower eyelid
• Midface lift

11. Another possible cause of chemosis may
be an allergy to the eye drops or lubricant
used after surgery.
Pre-existing problems with dry eye can
also contribute to the problem.

12. How long does chemosis last?

13. Mild chemosis after blepharoplasty will
settle down, but sometimes it can take
several months.

14. How to treat chemosis

15. The simplest approach to resolving
chemosis due to dry eye is aggressive
dry eye management.

16. Artificial tears should be used at least every
hour throughout the day.

17. It should be ensured that the eyes are
closing fully at night and the affected
eye should be covered with a bland
ophthalmic ointment.

18. If the eye is not fully closing, it should
be covered with an eye patch for
compression or with plastic wrap to
keep it moist.

19. Additional measures may be needed such as
steroid drops or oral steroids.
Antibiotics are useful if there has been any
damage to the surface of the eye, in order to
prevent infection from occurring.

20. In particularly difficult cases, sometimes
the eyelid (in order to heal) needs to be
temporarily closed using a tarsorrhaphy
stitch, alternatively surgical revision may
be required.

21. Your plastic surgeon should be your first contact.
Let your them decide if a consultation with an
ophthalmologist may be warranted to rule out
other problems.

22. If you have any unanswered questions on
chemosis or eyelid surgery, but are not yet
ready to commit to a one on one consultation,
I invite you to attend a free information evening
with me. Click on the button below to learn
more and reserve your seat.

23. Dr Naveen Somia MBBS, PhD, FRACS
[phone]
www.naveensomia.com.au
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www.naveensomia.com.au/myblog
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