Unilateral blindness due to retrobulbar hematoma after lower blepharoplasty

• Main Authors: Da Woon Lee, Seok Won Hong, Jun Hyuk Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2019-07-01
• Series: Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
• Subjects: blepharoplasty; blindness; cosmetics; retrobulbar hemorrhage
• Online Access: http://e-aaps.org/upload/pdf/aaps-2019-01725.pdf

Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures for people who are concerned with minimizing the effects of aging and maintaining an aesthetically attractive appearance. If periorbital surgery is not performed by an expert, the risk of complications increases. In particular, retrobulbar hematoma, which is the most serious complication after blepharoplasty, can lead to permanent blindness. We report a rare case of unilateral permanent blindness due to careless and unprofessional treatment following a retrobulbar hematoma after lower blepharoplasty. In conclusion, it is necessary to check for symptoms and signs including pain, proptosis, visual acuity, and light reflex after the operation. Careful instructions should then be given to patients and their caregivers to avoid actions that may cause postoperative bleeding. We emphasize that if a patient complains of symptoms, painkillers should not be used and computed tomography should be performed for an accurate and rapid diagnosis. Appropriate procedures must then be taken to prevent permanent vision loss.