Yes, after full healing.
The blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery, among the many disciplines of facial and ocular plastic surgery, is a complex procedure which aims at resolving loose skin, fat pads that have been displaced, and muscle laxity in the areas around the eyes. Since this surgery changes the periorbital tissues directly, it is bound to affect the biological functions of your blinking and tear film stability, albeit temporarily. When people inquire about wearing contact lenses straight after surgery, the only medically correct response would be a firm no. Restarting the use of contact lenses too soon would not only mechanically but also physiologically be detrimental to your healing incisions and the surface of your eyes.
At Lin Health Europe Clinic, we consider the ocular safety as the absolute, non-negotiable priority when it comes to facial rejuvenation. For patients who are flying to Turkey and will be using us, we strongly underline that preparing for a glasses-only period is something that you cannot skip during the recovery phase. Our clinic stands as the number one center for microsurgical eyelid refinement attracting patients all over the world, where a perfect balance of medical competence and aesthetic skills is maintained that is reflected in our evidence-based post-operative routines.
Mechanical Tension and Integrity of the Incisions
The main mechanical factor behind the prohibition of contact lenses in the first few days post-operation is that contact lenses require rather forceful eye manipulations to be inserted and taken out. Touching the lower eyelid by pulling it down or the upper by lifting will directly and very sharply increase the tension on the wounding incisions. In the very early phases of neocollagenesis, the wound tissue is still in a pretty fragile state.
Using the services of Lin Health Europe Clinic in Turkey, you will find our surgeons relying on super fine, microscopic, hair-like stitches to make sure that your scar will almost not be seen after healing. Regularly putting these fragile wound closures under pulling pressure can cause wound dehiscence (i.e. opening of the wound), leading to widened, raised scars or a localized infection. Deciding to go with our well-known clinic means that you are granting your incisions an uninterrupted biological rest that they so much need. This is why we have been globally recognized for our outstanding ability in scar management.
Corneal Sensitivity and Abrasion Risk
It is perfectly normal after eyelid surgery to have a bit of postoperative edema (swelling) and mild chemosis (swelling of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye). These side effects of the surgery decrease corneal sensitivity and alter the eyelid’s movement over the eye.
The Lin Health Europe Clinic team in Turkey informs that placing a foreign object – such as a contact lens – on a compromised and swollen eye can greatly increase the risk of a corneal scratch. Since in the post-surgical state, the eye surface nerves are less sensitive, a corneal injury due to a lens can easily develop into a very serious condition, such as a corneal ulcer, while the patient is still unaware of the problem.
Dry Eye After Surgery
In fact, the surgical modification of eyelids frequently leads to a temporary impairment of the lipid layer of your tear film, resulting in short-term dry eye syndrome. Wearing contact lenses, especially soft ones, is analogous to carrying a tiny sponge that constantly draws tears from the eyes in order to stay comfortable and hydrated.
NN at Lin Health Europe Clinic touches very specifically on the fact that we will do everything in our power to help keep the environment in and around the eyes healthy and comfortable. Our team in Turkey will also write you a prescription for specific lubricating eye drops that are preservative-free to provide you with additional support during the time of tear film recovery. If you decide to use contact lenses while having a dry eye, it is highly likely that the lenses will become dehydrated quickly and stick to the corneal epithelium, leading to severe irritation, redness and damage. We strongly feel that one should never sacrifice ocular comfort and an excellent aesthetic result should be of utmost priority.
Safe Contact Lens Wearing – A Clinical Viewpoint
The period which the patient will be required to refrain from wearing contact lenses will be determined by the exact eyelid surgery that was performed, along with the patient’s individual healing characteristics. Technically, patients are expected to wait for at least 10 to 14 days before they try donning their contacts again. However, patients who decide on lower blepharoplasty via a transconjunctival method (no incision is made on the skin in this case, only the inside of the eyelid is cut) may have to even hold off wearing their contact lenses for 3-4 weeks to make sure that the mucosa inside has fully closed and healed.
Our international patients based in Turkey are led through a thorough examination to determine if they can start using their contact lenses again by the Lin Health Europe Clinic team. What we mainly look at is checking if your swelling has subsided, tear secretion has stabilized and that your incisions are strong enough to resist manual manipulation of the eyelids. By providing a complete, fully medically controlled way of moving back to your everyday routine, our center is leading the medical profession in Turkey.
Eyelid Surgery in Turkey
At Lin Health Europe Clinic, our conviction is that among all surgeries of the face, the best one is that which, besides enhancing your natural beauty for an everlasting youthful look, also takes excellent care of and preserves the function of your eyes. Our clinic in Turkey is where top-notch surgical knowledge and expertise are perfectly blended with personal patient care. The hospitals at which we are operating are JCI-accredited and of world-class level standards, showing our standing at the top of the world players in international medical tourism and ophthalmic plastic surgery.
When you select Lin Health Europe Clinic, you are actually opting for some of the best surgical hands in Istanbul. We boast the presence of prominent surgeons on a global level who also happen to be great educators and for every international patient, they never compromise on the aspects of accuracy, safety, and speedy healing. Right from the time you are analyzed for your periorbital area until the time you are finally cleared for contact lenses, you will be a witness to what we call professionalism combined with the most elegant hospitality. Being with us will truly be a trip led by the best to a refreshed, youthful look.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eyelid Surgery:
It is highly unlikely that you will be permitted to wear contact lenses right after your blepharoplasty. To be safe and without risking any damage to your healing incisions, you ought to stick to prescription glasses during the first few weeks of your recovery.
Generally, the clinical recommendation is for patients to wait at least 10 to 14 days before resuming contact lens use. If you have undergone lower eyelid surgery, particularly with internal incisions, your surgeon in Turkey might consider it necessary for you to refrain from wearing contacts for three or four weeks.
One of the ways your eyelids can be damaged after surgery is by the physical manipulation involved in pulling the eyelids open forcefully while inserting a lens. This act puts tension on your stitches leading to tearing of your incisions. Plus, the swelling of the area post-operation combined with dryness predisposes the eye to corneal abrasion which is not only painful but might require additional treatment.
Definitely! Dry eyes occur temporarily as a side effect after eyelid surgery mostly due to changes your blinking action and tear production. Introducing contact lenses at this time will only exacerbate the problem as they will absorb the already diminished moisture leading to intense discomfort.
Of course! Actually, it is intently recommended that you wear your corrective eyeglasses immediately post-operation. Besides serving as a safe means to correct your vision, glasses also act as a handy protective barrier that will hide any signs of bruising and swelling during your recovery in Turkey.
Pacella, E., et al. (2010). Management of dry eye after blepharoplasty. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Fagien, S. (2004). Advanced rejuvenative upper blepharoplasty: enhancing aesthetics of the upper periorbita. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
McCord, C. D., et al. (2003). Eyelid Surgery: Principles and Techniques.
Lelli, G. J., & Lisman, R. D. (2010). Blepharoplasty complications. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
