Immediately Following Treatment
Once your eyelid surgery is complete your physician will usually apply lubricating ointment and cold compresses to aid in healing. Depending on the extent of your procedure your eyes may also be loosely covered with a layer of protective gauze.

After the treatment site has been addressed your physician will discuss how to properly care for your eyes during recovery. S/he will also prescribe oral or topical medications that reduce the risk of infection and help to facilitate the healing process. At this time you will be given instructions on what to look out for during recovery (like changes to your general health or the surgical site) and will be told when to return for a follow-up appointment.

Be sure to ask any questions you may have before heading home. If you haven’t covered these topics during consultation (or require clarification) then ask your physician about the medications you’re being prescribed, how to use them, when stitches are removed (if they aren’t a soluble type), when you can resume your normal activities and/or exercises and when dressings or bandages will be removed and where.

Patients are advised to exercise caution in protecting themselves from the sun by wearing dark, tinted sunglasses until their eyes have completely healed.

What to Expect from Recovery
The healing process can differ from patient to patient but usually consists of temporary effects like eyelid bruising, swelling or irritation. Many people will experience dry eyes that should be treated with cold compresses and prescribed medications and ointments. In some cases you may experience skin irritation at the incision site(s). After several weeks you will be able to see the results of your eyelid surgery. Incision lines will disappear gradually and should be completely healed within a year.

Eyelid surgery results are long lasting but natural aging processes will continue over the years. In order to preserve the benefits of your eyelid treatment for as long as possible it’s essential that you’re careful to protect yourself from the sun and avoid further damage.

Your physician, knowing your personal medical history and the specifics of your treatment, will be able to tell you exactly what to expect in terms of recovery length and potential side-effects.