Will Having Chronic Nasal Congestion Affect The Results Of Eyelid Surgery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have had nasal congestion bilaterally for years since I was young. So I think it make my flabby upper eyelids and lower eyelid bags is related to that nasal congestion. If I remove the the lower eye bags without treating the nasal congestion, can the eye bag regrow again after surgery? 

A: It is a common misconception that puffiness of the lower eyelid is related or caused by nasal and sinus congestion. Actually, there is no correlation between nasal congestion and excess tissue on the upper eyelid or bags in the lower eyelid. They may be close in anatomic proximity but one’s genetics, aging and environmental factors is what makes for such changes in the upper and lower eyelids Thus the results of eyelid surgery, like a lower blepharoplasty with bag (fat) removal will not be affected by persistent nasal congestion after surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana