Immediately After Surgery

After surgery, Dr. Norman Markus will lubricate your eyes with ointment. You eyes may feel tight and difficult to close, but this will gradually ease. Your vision may also be a bit blurry.

Dr. Norman Markus will give you opthalmic medication to use over the first few days to lubricate your eyes and prevent corneal irritation. You will also be shown how to clean any secretions. Some patients experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in eyesight, such as blurring or double vision for the first few weeks, but this will decrease over time.

Patients generally experience mild post-operative pain with eyelid surgery. If you experience mild discomfort, you may take Extra-Strength Tylenol or the medication Dr. Norman Markus prescribed. You may also use cold compresses to relieve discomfort and reduce swelling and possible bruising. If you experience severe pain, extreme swelling, or vision change, call Dr. Norman Markus's office immediately.

The First Week

For the first few days after surgery, you should rest and sleep with your head elevated to prevent swelling. The sutures will be removed five days to a week after surgery, after which the swelling and discoloration around will gradually decrease, and you'll start to look and feel much better.

You should be able to read or watch television after the first few days, but you may not wear contact lenses for about two weeks.

You should avoid all strenuous physical activities for the first few weeks. Dr. Norman Markus will let you know when you may resume your exercise routine.

You should not wear any eye makeup for the first few weeks. Dr. Norman Markus will let you know when you may resume wearing eye makeup.

The Following Weeks

Healing is a gradual process and differs from patient to patient. Most people are ready to go out in public after ten days to two weeks. You may wear makeup to hide any bruising that remains. Most patients' scars remain slightly pink for several months after surgery, but they will fade and be nearly invisible.

On the other hand, the positive results of your eyelid surgery-the more alert and youthful look-will last for years. For many people, these results are permanent.