Does Unilateral Compression Dressing Reduce Postoperative Swelling and Bruising After Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?

NCT07701265 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BLF-25-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 56
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether applying a compression dressing to one eyelid after upper eyelid blepharoplasty (eyelid lift surgery) reduces swelling, bruising, and discomfort compared to the untreated eyelid. In this randomized trial, each participant underwent bilateral upper eyelid blepharoplasty; after surgery, one eyelid was randomly assigned to receive a compression dressing for 24 hours, while the other eyelid received no dressing and served as the internal control. Outcomes including eyelid swelling, bruising, pain, aesthetic appearance, and corneal health were assessed by masked observers on postoperative days 1, 7, 30, and 90. The goal of this study was to determine whether routine use of compression dressing provides a measurable clinical benefit after this common cosmetic and functional eyelid surgery.

Conditions

Dermatochalasis of Upper Eyelid

Keywords

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty; Compression dressing; Postoperative edema; Postoperative ecchymosis; Split-eye design; Eyelid surgery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Postoperative eyelid edema

  Standardized clinical photographs assessed by masked observers using a 5-point ordinal edema grading scale.

  Postoperative day 1, postoperative day 7, postoperative day 30, postoperative day 90

• Postoperative ecchymosis

  Standardized clinical photographs analysed using ImageJ software and graded by masked observers.

  Postoperative day 1, postoperative day 7, postoperative day 30, postoperative day 90

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Postoperative pain

  Postoperative day 1

• Patient comfort

  Postoperative day 1

• Corneal staining

  Postoperative days 1, 7, 30 and 90

• Global aesthetic improvement

  Postoperative days 1, 7, 30 and 90

• Best corrected visual acuity

  Baseline, postoperative days 1, 7, 30 and 90

Study Arms (2)

Compression Dressing (CD)

EXPERIMENTAL

Upper eyelid randomly assigned to receive a compression dressing (folded sterile gauze secured with elastic tape) for 24 hours after surgery.

Procedure: Compression Dressing (CD)

No Dressing (ND)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Contralateral upper eyelid receiving standard postoperative care without compression dressing, serving as the internal control.

Procedure: No Dressing (Standard Postoperative Care)

Interventions

Compression Dressing (CD) PROCEDURE

A compression dressing consisting of folded sterile gauze pads followed by a dry gauze layer, secured with elastic tape (Clivex®, Climed Healthcare, Türkiye), applied to one upper eyelid immediately after bilateral upper eyelid blepharoplasty and left in place for 24 hours. The contralateral eyelid remained uncovered and undressed, serving as the internal control.

Compression Dressing (CD)

No Dressing (Standard Postoperative Care) PROCEDURE

The contralateral upper eyelid received standard postoperative care without a compression dressing, remaining uncovered. All other postoperative treatments (topical antibiotic ointment, cooling protocol, medications) were identical to the compression dressing side.

No Dressing (ND)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adult patients (≥18 years) with bilateral upper eyelid dermatochalasis scheduled for upper eyelid blepharoplasty
• Willingness and ability to provide written informed consent
• Ability to comply with the postoperative follow-up schedule (postoperative days 1, 7, 30, and 90)

You may not qualify if:

• History of prior upper eyelid surgery
• Unilateral dermatochalasis
• Previous eyelid trauma
• Congenital eyelid anomalies
• Blepharochalasis syndrome
• Coagulopathy
• Combined indication for ptosis repair and blepharoplasty
• Severe bilateral visual impairment precluding safe application of compression dressing

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fatma Poslu Karademir: lead

Study Sites (1)

Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Istanbul, 34421, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Postoperative edema, ecchymosis, and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores were independently assessed by two masked investigators from standardized clinical photographs; disagreements were resolved by a third masked investigator. The masked assessors did not participate in surgery or dressing application and were unaware of side allocation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ophthalmologist, Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital

Model Details: This study used a within-participant, split-eye design rather than a traditional temporal crossover. Each patient's two upper eyelids were simultaneously and randomly allocated (by coin toss) to receive either compression dressing or no dressing during the same surgical session, with the contralateral eyelid serving as the internal control, rather than each participant receiving both interventions sequentially over time.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 8, 2026
• First Posted: July 14, 2026
• Study Start: June 23, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 28, 2025
• Study Completion: November 28, 2025
• Last Updated: July 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)