Retobulbar Hemorrhage after Blephorplasty

Posted by nettiemae @nettiemae, 2 days ago

I had a bleph, browpexy, and ptosis repair scheduled. The first two procedures were complete when my surgeon diagnosed me with a retrobulbar henorrhage (bleeding behind the eye). The ptosis procedure was abandoned as this is an emergency in the eye surgery world. She had to do 2 extra procedures to get the blood out of the retrobulbar space. I am now left with a non opening and very very swollen eyelid on the left. Has anyone had this happen? I am told it may take a year for my eye to recover and even then I will be left with a very droopy eye. This was a cosmetic, elective surgery and I look way worse now than when I went in. The chances of this happening is 0.05% and this had never happened to this surgeon in 15 years of practice. A real red herring. Anyone have any insight? Thanks in advance.

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celia16 | @celia16 | 2 days ago

I’m sorry this happened to you. I’ve had a blepharoplasty (upper and lower) and then years later ptosis repair with another blepharoplasty (upper only) with no complications. I can only imagine your disappointment. How is the pain? Will the swelling subside soon? Does your doctor expect to be able to complete the repair later? Is this a ophthalmologist plastic surgeon?

I hope you’re feeling better soon!

nettiemae | @nettiemae | 2 days ago

In reply to @celia16 "I’m sorry this happened to you. I’ve had a blepharoplasty (upper and lower) and then years..." + (show)

Thank you for your response. It was an Oculoplastic Opthalmologist that came recommended by other plastic and opthalmologist surgeons. This was the first time it had happened to the surgeon after 16 years of practice. I am still trying to find the reason it happened as I am a retired health care professional and finding answers is important to me. I have no pain, and the quick intervention by the surgeon saved my vision in my eye from being destroyed by the hemorrhage, so I am grateful I have vision out of that eye, but my lid is now closed and droopy, so I essentioally have no vision in that eye cuz the lid is closed always. I go back for my two week this Wednesday, but I have been told by the surgeon it could take as long as 9 months, and then no guarantees that is will look "normal". A further repair remains to be seen cuz to relieve the pressure on the eye, there were tendons and muscles cut. It depends on how they heal and how much scar tissue is present. It was a true intraop emergency and was treated appropiately, I just look awful. I waited 15 years for this after mulling it over that long. Now, I wish I had my "old eyes" back. See before and after below. I am disfugred. Again, thank you