2026-05-18
Lower Eyelid Retraction Surgery Swelling Progress - 6 Month Post-Op Changes
Lower eyelid retraction surgery corrects conditions where one eye appears excessively open compared to the other side. At the 1-week suture removal stage post-surgery, swelling and bruising remain; by the 2-month mark, swelling has significantly reduced. By 6 months, most swelling has subsided and the result appears natural, though complete medical healing typically takes about 2 years.
I'm sharing information about lower eyelid retraction surgery.
When the eye appears excessively open like this, it's called lower eyelid retraction.
https://blog.naver.com/medicdoctor/223968200854
Please also refer to my previous blog post
Before surgery, you can see one eye (right side of photo, patient's left eye) appears significantly more open than the other side.
This is how it looks at 1 week post-op when sutures are removed.
There is still significant swelling and bruising at this stage.
This is the appearance at 2 months.
Swelling has significantly reduced by this point.
The appearance continues to improve over time. While most swelling typically resolves by around 6 months, medical literature indicates complete healing can take up to 2 years.
After 6 months, the results have become much more natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lower eyelid retraction?
Lower eyelid retraction refers to a condition where the eye appears excessively open. Often, one eye appears significantly more open than the other, creating an asymmetry. Lower eyelid retraction surgery is performed to correct this condition.
When does swelling go down after lower eyelid retraction surgery?
Most swelling typically resolves by around 6 months. However, complete medical healing can take up to 2 years, with results continuing to improve and naturalize over time.
When are sutures removed after surgery?
Sutures are removed at 1 week post-op. At this stage, significant swelling and bruising are still present, so it's too early to assess final results.
What is the appearance at 2 months?
By 2 months, swelling has significantly reduced. However, the results are not yet fully settled, and the appearance will continue to improve and become more natural over time.
How long does it take for surgical results to fully settle?
Complete medical healing can take approximately 2 years. While most swelling resolves by 6 months, the tissue continues to stabilize and naturalize for an extended period thereafter.