Aspirin, aspirin-containing drugs, ibuprofen and other blood-thinners should be stopped 7 days before surgery. This includes herbs, all vitamins, and certain other drugs: we will give you a list which covers most such thinners. If you are on prescription blood-thinners like Coumadin or Plavix, we will advise you & your physician about possible changes in that medication prior to & after surgery. 

The lower eyelids will feel a little tight and may look like I have raised them a little more than the normal position. This is by design: lids always relax and we want to give you an improvement, whenever possible, without the need for further surgery. This sensation of tightness settles over a few weeks and the tight look to the lower eyelid usually settles within a couple of weeks. 

The lower eyelid margins (eyelashes, roots of the eyelashes, and the margin of the lower eyelids) will feel numb for a number of weeks: the sensation recovers over six to eight weeks, sometimes a little longer. Some patients, when they cannot normally feel their lower eyelid lashes, will think that their eyelashes have been cut: WE NEVER CUT EYELASHES! They are too valuable!

There will be blurry vision during the healing phase: this may last from a few weeks to, sometimes, more than two months. Most patients can function perfectly well but the refraction may change. Some patients need a refraction for new spectacles about two months (or more) after surgery.

Healing eyelids always make the tear gland produce more tears and the tears will be thicker than normal, often with some mucous. This is NORMAL and not a sign of infection. When grafts are used (skin grafts, alloderm grafts, etc), this discharge may persist for a few weeks but gradually reduce and then stop. We will be prescribing an antibiotic ointment which you will apply three times a day to the lower eyelid & the outer corner of the lower eyelid (sometimes also the inner corner, depending upon the procedure performed). You will use this ointment for one to two weeks. We will guide you.

This surgery is performed only to improve tearing and protection of your eyes. As with most elective operations, the patient always has the choice of having or not having this surgery: it is entirely your choice. If you decide to undergo the correction, our job is to perform the surgery safely and effectively!

Surgery takes about an hour, but we do not rush anything. When you come for surgery, please do not make any other appointments for the day as the duration of surgery is not always predictable. Also, by the nature of Medicine, emergencies are seen almost daily & may delay more routine cases. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the surgeon to take longer (or shorter) on some cases, depending upon findings: therefore, surgery times are ESTIMATES ONLY.

1. You may wash/bathe the day after your surgery and even get your eyelids wet.
2. Do not rub your eyelids vigorously for the first two weeks.
3. Expect some oozing of blood for the first two to three days: this is normal.
4. No swimming in a swimming pool for two weeks please.
5. No vigorous exercise for one week (tennis, skiing, etc).
6. Most patients can drive/walk/etc the day after surgery. Sometimes, swelling can make driving difficult for a couple of days.
7. You will have trouble wearing contact lenses for about a week.

Entropion surgery is performed to improve the protection of your eyes and improve tearing. Therefore, such surgery is considered medically necessary. We always document your findings and obtain clinical photographs as these are needed by your insurance for preauthorization. If you have Medicare insurance, you will know that Medicare does NOT give preauthorization prior to surgery. We generally do not get rejections for the repair of entropions because this is well-known to be functional reconstructive surgery. Please remember that we work for you and do everything possible to get your surgery covered by your insurance company when you meet the necessary requirements.