Safety of blepharoplasty in patients with preoperative dry eyes.

OBJECTIVES To assess the safety of blepharoplasty in patients with preoperative dry eyes and to report our surgical technique. SETTING Private practice with academic affiliation. DESIGN Retrospective medical chart review of 67 patients with preoperative dry eyes who underwent blepharoplasty. The technique was modified by preserving the orbicularis oculi muscle and its innervation during upper blepharoplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The severity of preoperative and postoperative eye dryness by patient survey. RESULTS Of the 67 patients, 5 had worsening, 5 had improvement, and 50 had no change in the severity of their dry eyes. Seven patients could not be located for the follow-up survey. Preserving the orbicularis did not affect the cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS By preserving the orbicularis muscle and its innervation, the dynamics of eyelid closure, tear pumping, and tear distribution are not affected. Blepharoplasty can be a safe operation in patients with dry eyes.