Laser blepharoplasty: is it safe?

The complications of the "traditional" blepharoplasty have been well outlined; however, very little can be found on the safety of lasers when used for blepharoplasty. In this article, 20 consecutive patients undergoing laser blepharoplasty are examined preoperatively and postoperatively for eye function and ocular injury by an independent ophthalmologist. Follow-up examinations were performed at random times after surgery ranging from 4 to 60 days, with the majority of patients (17 of 20) seen between 4 and 17 days after surgery. Any changes from the preoperative examinations were recorded. Results demonstrated no complications associated with the use of lasers during blepharoplasty. Safety precautions and surgical procedures are outlined. An attempt is made to separate those hazards specific to the laser technique from the "traditional" blepharoplasty procedure.