Antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin, Erythromycin and Tobradex can help with healing after eyelid
surgery.
However, it is important to know that antibiotic ointment should be used for a limited time,
as prolonged use can lead to an allergy, which can delay the recovery process.
I’m Dr Amiya Prasad.
I’m a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon and Fellowship Trained Oculofacial Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgeon.
I’ve been in practice in Manhattan and Long Island for over 20 years.
I’m well known as a go to specialist for cosmetic eyelid surgery such as for hooded
eyes surgery, ptosis, under eye bag removal, and Asian double eyelid surgery.
I’m also known as well as an eyelid specialist for revision surgery for eyelid surgery complications
and reconstructive surgery after trauma and malignancy.
When it comes to eyelid surgery aftercare, many people with best intentions will apply
liberal amounts of antibiotic ointment daily resulting in running out of ointment in the
first 1 to 2 days.
Many people will believe that their helping their healing process by applying antibiotic
ointment for weeks after surgery.
In my practice, I advise my patients to use antibiotic ointment for the first few days
after eyelid surgery.
I recommend applying ointment conservatively with a swab or Q-tip to avoid any dirt or
bacteria from the fingers making their way to the incision.
For the lower eyelids, I recommend a small amount to be applied with the tube on the
edge of the lower eyelid comparable to the placement of eyeliner.
As far as the limit of using the ointment for a few days is concerned, I want to help
my patients avoid developing a condition called contact dermatitis.
Contact dermatitis is characterized by redness and itching.
Ironically, many people think the redness and itching represents an infection, which
they treat with even more antibiotic ointment.
Consequently, they are making their allergic reaction worse.
After a few days of antibiotic ointment use, to create the optimal moist environment for
healing, I advise my patients to use a petrolatum based ointment such as Aquaphor.
Again, the ointment should also be applied with Q-tip.
After sutures are removed for example in upper eyelid surgery, I advise my patients that
during the first few weeks after surgery which is referred to as the proliferative phase
of wound healing, it is normal for the incision to be slightly thick and red.
I find that the fear of keloid scarring motivates people to buy over the counter scar treatment
ointments.
I advise my patients not to do that.
Some degree of itch and redness are normal for several weeks after eyelid surgery.
In situations where itching and redness become intolerable, or you suspect possible infection,
you should immediately check with your doctor.
I follow my patients after eyelid surgery closely with follow up visits so I may observe
their progress and advise them accordingly.
It is important to continue communicating with your doctor during your healing process.
If my patients are concerned about their appearance, I always ask them to come in for me to see
how things look.
I keep an open communication policy so if patients have questions about any healing
products which they come across online, I review the information and advise accordingly.
I hope you found this information helpful...thank you for your question