Contact Lenses After Blepharoplasty - Your Questions Answered

How long after blepharoplasty can you start wearing contact lenses again? This article answers this question for you and offers some tips on wearing them after your operation.

Blepharoplasty, more commonly known as eye lift or eyelid lift, is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the US today. It's relatively new on the plastic surgery scene, and as people are discovering its benefits, more and more of them are getting it done. But one of the major concerns is whether or not you can wear contact lenses after the operation.

Why Get Blepharoplasty

The reason people get blepharoplasty is that as you get older, your eyes begin to droop. You get a certain kind of "tired" look that really shows your age. An eye lift restores your eyes to a perky, alert look. It helps to reduce the signs of aging.

Blepharoplasty And Contact Lenses

Getting a blepharoplasty does affect how you wear your contact lenses. First and foremost, it is essential to follow your doctor's orders after the operation. This is something you should discuss with them beforehand, but it is extremely important to wait until they say that you're ready to start wearing contact lenses again.

How Long Does It Take?

After blepharoplasty, you will have to wait for several weeks before wearing contacts again. Most plastic surgeons recommend waiting around three weeks, but it all depends on several factors. You should basically wait until your eyes are fully healed, and this varies from patient to patient. Some doctors tell patients that they're okay to start wearing them as quickly as ten days after the operation.

Extra Care

When first putting in your contact lenses, you should pull up on the upper eyelid rather than pulling down on the lower one. This has to do with the healing process. Your doctor will show you exactly how you do it, but it's one small precaution that must be made to ensure proper healing.

Other Precautions

If you experience swelling after your blepharoplasty, this might make it trickier to put in your contact lenses. It might be uncomfortable and difficult. Doctors advise that you don't force your contacts in; rather, wait until they slide in smoothly just like they did before your operation.

One more thing to think about is that you might experience drier eyes than usual after the procedure. This is because the area around them is still healing, and this may make them more prone to irritation. Again, be careful about putting in contact lenses until it is completely comfortable again. Don't force it, and talk to the doctor if you have any problems.

Blepharoplasty And Glasses

You should be able to wear glasses just fine after your eyelid lift. The procedure shouldn't have any effect whatsoever on your ability to wear them. You can put on glasses the very day you've had your eye lift done.

The most important thing is to talk to your doctor. Around five to seven days after your blepharoplasty you'll have your post op visit. The purpose of this is for the doctor to make sure that things are healing the way they should be. You can ask your surgeon at this time if it's alright for you to start wearing contacts again, and they can advise you on exactly what to do.

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