Temporary unilateral upper eyelid retraction: an unreported rare complication of rhinoplasty

Abstract

Background Upper eyelid retraction may develop due to various neurogenic, myogenic, and mechanistic causes. Although the development of lagophthalmus after rhinoplasty has been described in the literature, upper eyelid retraction after uncomplicated rhinoplasty has not been reported before. Case presentation This report presents a case of unilateral upper eyelid retraction observed six days after uncomplicated rhinoplasty. A 40-year-old female patient presented with left upper eyelid retraction on the sixth day of uncomplicated closed-approach structural rhinoplasty. The patient was able to close her eyelids completely and eye movements were normal in all directions of gaze. Anterior and posterior segment examinations were in normal range. We prescribed artificial tear drop and night-time liquid tear gel. After four weeks of conservative treatment, the upper eyelid retraction was improved without any complication. No recurrence was observed at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion This is the first case presenting with upper eyelid retraction without lagophthalmus after uncomplicated rhinoplasty. Ophthalmologists should be aware that such a complication may occur quite rarely and may regress without sequelae with conservative treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-024-03734-w.