What complications can occur after double eyelid surgery? How should they be treated?

Hello, double eyelid surgery is a common minor cosmetic procedure today that helps improve the eyelid crease, remove excess skin and fat, and bring a more youthful appearance to the eyes. However, although it is a minor technique, if performed incorrectly or without proper sterile conditions – or if the doctor lacks proper expertise – complications after double eyelid surgery may still occur. This is an issue doctors want you to pay special attention to, because timely and proper treatment will help minimize unwanted consequences.

What complications can occur after double eyelid surgery?

First of all, the doctor would like to confirm that complications from double eyelid surgery are not common if the procedure is performed correctly under standard medical conditions. However, some complications may still appear in cases where surgery is performed at substandard facilities or when postoperative care is improper. These include:

• Uneven eyelids, asymmetry, or eyelid retraction

This is the most common complication when the doctor incorrectly determines the amount of skin to remove or creates an uneven eyelid crease on both sides. Besides surgical skill, scar contraction during the healing stage can also cause slight eyelid asymmetry.

• Drooping eyelids, incomplete eye closure, or inability to fully close the eyes

This condition usually occurs due to overly deep dissection or excessive removal of eyelid skin or fat. As a result, the levator muscle becomes weakened, preventing the eyes from closing completely, which may cause corneal dryness and discomfort.

• Visible scars or hypertrophic scars

Improper suturing technique, overly thick sutures, or improper wound care during the healing phase may lead to visible scarring, affecting aesthetics.

• Infection, hematoma, or prolonged swelling

If the surgical area is not thoroughly sterilized or if the patient touches the area or washes the face incorrectly after surgery, bacteria may invade and cause inflammation or pus accumulation.

• Sunken eyelids, deep eye sockets, or loss of the eyelid crease

This often occurs when too much fat is removed, causing a lack of natural supporting tissue in the eyelid area. After recovery, the eyelids may appear sunken and the eye sockets may look tired and older than before.

These complications after double eyelid surgery may be concerning, but most can be corrected if detected early and treated properly by specialists.

Causes of complications after double eyelid surgery

According to medical analysis, there are three main groups of causes leading to double eyelid surgery complications, including:

• Poor surgical skill or inaccurate technique

This is the leading cause. A doctor who does not fully understand the anatomical structure of the eyelid or performs incorrect cutting and suturing techniques can easily cause damage to soft tissue, the levator muscle, or create uneven eyelid skin.

• Facilities that do not meet medical standards

If the surgery is performed in a non-sterile operating room or instruments are not properly sterilized, the risk of infection, hematoma, or scar inflammation is very high.

• Improper postoperative care

In some cases, even when the surgery is performed by a skilled doctor, complications may still occur if patients do not follow postoperative care instructions: touching the incision, washing the face too early, eating foods that may cause hypertrophic scars (such as seafood, beef, sticky rice), or using cosmetics before the wound has fully healed.

• Special constitution or abnormal scar response

Some individuals are prone to hypertrophic or proliferative scars – even with proper technique, mild scarring may still occur. However, it can be improved with laser treatment or specialized scar injections.

How to treat complications after double eyelid surgery

When noticing abnormal signs after surgery such as prolonged swelling and pain, redness, discharge, eyelid asymmetry, inability to fully close the eyes, or obvious hypertrophic scars, the doctor advises that you should not attempt to treat it yourself at home. Below are professional recommendations:

Immediately follow up with the original surgeon

This is the first and most important step. The doctor will examine the severity of the damage and determine the cause in order to provide timely treatment. For mild complications such as swelling or visible scars, treatment may include anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics, or scar treatment creams.

Corrective intervention when necessary

If the eyelids are uneven, drooping, or the eyes cannot close completely, the doctor will reassess the eyelid muscle and skin structure to perform revision double eyelid surgery after the tissue stabilizes (usually after 3–6 months). This procedure requires a highly experienced surgeon with delicate microsurgical skills to restore a natural eyelid crease.

Choose a reputable hospital when treating complications

In cases of severe complications or when you cannot return to the original facility, you should visit qualified cosmetic hospitals such as Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital, where there is a team of experienced ophthalmic and cosmetic surgeons and operating rooms that meet Ministry of Health standards.

At Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital, cases of revision for complications after double eyelid surgery are performed using exclusive Plasma endoscopic microsurgery technology, which allows precise dissection, minimizes invasiveness, reduces swelling and pain, leaves no scars, and enables faster recovery compared to older methods.

Double eyelid surgery is a safe procedure if performed with proper technique and if postoperative instructions are followed. However, in some cases complications after double eyelid surgery may still occur, so choosing the right ophthalmic cosmetic surgeon and a qualified medical facility is crucial.

If you are experiencing double eyelid surgery complications, or wish to be examined, evaluated, and corrected by a specialist, please visit Gangwhoo Cosmetic Hospital for direct consultation. Here, leading specialists along with exclusive Plasma endoscopic microsurgical double eyelid technology will help restore natural, balanced eyes with absolute safety.