A 20-year-old woman in Hanoi experienced severe complications after undergoing an eyelid surgery performed by a trainee at a spa. Her eyes became swollen, painful, and discharged fluid. Despite the spa staff's assurances that this was normal, the condition persisted. When her eyes became bruised and she couldn't open them, she sought treatment at Duc Giang General Hospital.

Doctor Pham Duy Linh, from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, discovered that the surgical incision was incorrectly made, and the sutures were uneven and aesthetically displeasing. "The patient's eyes were bruised, swollen, and discharging fluid from the incision. She had difficulty opening her eyes and experienced limited vision due to blood and fluid accumulation. The primary cause was the practitioner's lack of anatomical knowledge and improper technique," Dr. Linh explained.

A patient experiencing complications after eyelid surgery. Photo courtesy of the doctor

A patient experiencing complications after eyelid surgery. Photo courtesy of the doctor

Eyelid surgeries are increasingly popular, especially among young people. However, if performed incorrectly or at unlicensed facilities, the consequences can be severe, affecting not only appearance but also eye health.

Recently, Dr. Ngo Gia Long from the Tam Cosmetic Clinic treated a 22-year-old woman who had undergone eyelid surgery at a spa that advertised "beautiful eyes in 60 minutes, no pain, no downtime."

As a result, the woman's eyes became sunken, her eyelids tightened, making it difficult to open them, and scars were visible. She couldn't fully close her eyes, even while sleeping. Dr. Long said that complex corrective procedures, including eyelid revision surgery, muscle adjustment, scar tissue removal, and fat grafting, would be necessary.

Similarly, Bach Mai Hospital received a patient who became blind in one eye after eyelid surgery at a spa. Upon arrival, her incision continued to bleed, her eyelid was bruised and swollen, and her eyeball was protruding. Her left eye lost all vision, while her right eye could only count fingers at a very close range. Tests revealed a bleeding disorder, which the spa staff was unaware of despite the patient's previous treatment for this condition.

These cases represent a small fraction of the numerous complications arising from cosmetic surgeries performed at unlicensed facilities. Common complications include bleeding, hematoma at the incision site, infection, eyelid retraction, exposure of implants, and lumps under the skin due to injections of low-quality silicone or fillers. More seriously, these procedures can lead to blindness or necrosis of the nose and lips.

"Cosmetic surgery is invasive and carries the risk of complications. The eye area is anatomically complex, and only qualified doctors are capable of handling complications should they arise," Dr. Long stated.

Dr. Long examining a patient. Photo courtesy of the doctor

Dr. Long examining a patient. Photo courtesy of the doctor

According to the Ministry of Health regulations, only three types of facilities are permitted to perform cosmetic surgery: hospitals specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery; plastic and reconstructive surgery departments in general hospitals; and specialized plastic and reconstructive surgery clinics.

Spas and beauty salons are only allowed to perform cosmetic tattooing and general skincare services. They are strictly prohibited from providing invasive medical services such as injections, infusions, or surgeries.

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, creates permanent eyelid creases. The procedure typically takes 30-40 minutes. It removes excess skin and fat around the eyelids, corrects drooping eyelids, and can lift the corners of the eyes and widen the inner corners, creating a more youthful appearance. Typically, the eyes achieve natural-looking results after one month.

While considered a relatively simple procedure, eyelid surgery can have serious consequences if not performed by a qualified professional. Doctors advise seeking treatment and cosmetic procedures at licensed medical facilities to ensure safety and avoid potential harm.

Le Nga