The procedure is done at our Swords clinic by an Eye Doctor. You will be in the clinic for about 2 hours. If you take blood thinners, like aspirin, please let your Eye Doctor know as you may need to pause them around the time of the procedure.

Before the surgery, we will take photographs of your eye.

• Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing (no hoodies or thick jumpers)
• No eye make-up
• You can eat, drink and take your any other medication as normal.
• Arrange a lift to and from our state of the art clinic in Swords
• As there will be a pad over one eye and you may have oral sedation it is best to have someone drive you to and from the appointment.
• Numbing eye drops will be used to make the eye more comfortable during the procedure. You may also be given oral sedation to help you feel relaxed.

• Consent – you’ll sign your consent form before surgery.
• A local anaesthetic injection is given to numb the eyelid.
• Your eye doctor makes a small incision on the lower eyelid.
• Through this incision, they tighten the eyelid by adjusting the underlying muscles and ligaments.
• Stitches are then used to hold the eyelid in its new position.
• The incision is closed with sutures, which are usually removed 1–2 weeks later.

• Recovery (in clinic) – 40 minutes with cold compress, pads removed, tea/coffee, post-op instructions given.
• After the procedure, the eye patch should remain in place overnight, unless surgery was done on both eyes; in that case, your doctor will give you specific instructions.
• Once the patch is removed, you should apply a cold compress every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes, for the first two days to help reduce swelling.
• Use a soft cloth barrier between the ice pack and your skin.
• Swelling and bruising usually settle over 1 to 2 weeks.
• Post-operative care also involves gently cleaning the stitch line with boiled, cooled water and applying ointment twice daily until the stitches are removed.
• Stitches are usually taken out 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery.
• If you need to have a skin graft or flap, the post-op instructions will vary; this will be discussed with you.
• You should not do any strenuous activity until the stitches have been removed.
• This includes heavy lifting, manual work, gardening, and vigorous cleaning.
• If you are working, please let us know, as you may need to take some time off depending on the type of job you do.

• You will be on an antibiotic ointment twice a day for 2 weeks after the procedure until your stitches are removed.
• You can also use preservative free lubricating drops if your eye feels dry or irritated.