HOME › SURGICAL JOURNEY › LID LIFT GOGGLES
Lid Lift Goggles® for Post-Blepharoplasty Surgery Recovery
Comfort-focused recovery after eyelid surgery
Bruising and swelling are the two most common concerns after eyelid surgery. They can delay your return to work, social events, and everyday life. Lid Lift Goggles® were designed specifically to make this recovery period easier, more comfortable, and more predictable.
Benefits include:
-
Reduced Bruising
-
Reduced Swelling
-
Reduced Post-Operative Discomfort
-
Faster Return to Work
-
Faster Return to Public Life
In a clinical study comparing traditional ice compresses with Lid Lift Goggles®, patients experienced three to five times less bruising, even without using ice at all.
How Lid Lift Goggles® help bruising and swelling
Lid Lift Goggles® work in three key ways:
-
Continuous cooling
The goggles contain cooling foam that gently lowers the temperature around the eyelids. This helps constrict small blood vessels, which limits bleeding into the tissues and reduces the amount of bruising that develops after surgery.
-
Gentle, even compression
The design applies soft, uniform pressure around the eyelids. This compression helps control swelling and encourages fluid to clear more quickly from the operated area.
-
Physical protection during the most delicate phase
The goggles act as a protective shell so you are less likely to accidentally bump, rub, or press on your eyelids while they are healing. Many patients feel more relaxed knowing their eyes are shielded, especially during the first few days.
Because the cooling and compression are built into the goggles, you do not need to alternate with ice. In fact, repeatedly removing the goggles to use ice can interrupt this steady effect and may make bruising worse.
What to expect: healing timeline with Lid Lift Goggles®
Every patient heals differently, but using Lid Lift Goggles® as directed generally leads to:
-
Immediately after surgery (first 4 hours)
You wear the goggles continuously. This is when bruising and swelling would normally begin to build, so early, uninterrupted cooling and compression are critical.
-
Days 1 to 3
Wear the goggles about 80 percent of the time while you are awake, plus while sleeping for the first one to two nights.-
Swelling typically peaks within the first 48 to 72 hours.
-
Patients who use the goggles correctly often notice that bruising looks lighter and more contained compared with traditional ice packs.
-
-
After day 3
Most of the benefit has already been achieved, but you may continue to wear the goggles at night if you tend to touch your eyes in your sleep or if your surgeon recommends extra protection.-
Swelling usually begins to soften and descend.
-
Bruising starts to fade in color. Many patients feel more comfortable returning to light social activities sooner than expected.
-
-
First 2 weeks
The incisions are still in the active healing phase. Even after you stop wearing the goggles, the early reduction in bruising and swelling often translates into a smoother, more linear recovery and a quicker return to a natural appearance.
Your exact timeline will depend on the procedure performed, your individual healing response, and how closely you follow your postoperative instructions.
Who can benefit from Lid Lift Goggles®?
Most patients having upper and or lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) are good candidates. The goggles are also helpful when eyelid surgery is combined with other procedures such as a brow lift, since they specifically target swelling and bruising around the eyes.
Your surgeon will review your medical and eye history to confirm that the goggles are appropriate for you
When Lid Lift Goggles® should not be used
There are a few situations where Lid Lift Goggles® are not recommended:
-
Significant claustrophobia
If you have moderate to severe claustrophobia, the sensation of wearing the goggles may feel uncomfortable or triggering.
-
Certain sleep apnea masks
Some CPAP or BiPAP masks take up the space needed for the goggles at night. In this case, you can still benefit by wearing the goggles during the day and immediately after surgery.
-
Specific eye conditions or prior surgeries
-
Implanted eyelid weights
-
Very prominent or bulging eyes
-
Eyelids that do not close completely during sleep
-
Severe vision loss from glaucoma
-
How to use Lid Lift Goggles® correctly
Using the goggles the right way maximizes their benefit for bruising and swelling.
1. Always use sterile cotton eye pads
The goggles themselves are not sterile. A pair of sterile cotton eye pads should always be placed between the goggles and your eyelids to protect your incisions.
-
Place one sterile eye pad on each side of the goggle so that the edges of the pads meet in the center.
-
You may reuse the same pads throughout the day as long as they stay clean and dry, then switch to a fresh pair each morning.
-
If pads become damp or soiled on the day of surgery, replace them once or twice.
2. Step-by-step placement
-
Prepare the goggles by placing one sterile eye pad on each side so they meet in the middle. Flip the strap upward so it rests on top of the frame.
-
Sit comfortably at a table and place the goggles in the palms of your hands with the lens side facing down (Figure 1).
-
Lean your head slightly forward and bend at the neck until the goggles make gentle contact with your face.
-
With your non dominant hand, hold the goggles in place. With your dominant hand, pull the strap over your head.
-
Position the strap so that its center rests over the highest point of the bump at the back of your head (Figure 2). This gives a secure, comfortable fit with even pressure around the eyes.
The goggles should feel snug but not tight or painful.
3. Safety reminders
-
Wear the goggles only when you are sitting or lying down. They block vision, so walking while wearing them could cause a fall.
-
Remove them before standing, walking, bathing, applying eye drops or ointments, eating, or arriving at your surgeon’s office.
Why choose Lid Lift Goggles® instead of ice alone?
-
Purpose-built for eyelid surgery recovery
-
Combine cooling and compression in one comfortable device
-
Shown in a clinical study to produce three to five times less bruising compared with traditional ice compresses
-
Provide protection from accidental bumps and rubbing
-
Support a smoother, more confident return to work and social life after surgery
Purchasing Lid Lift Goggles®
Lid Lift Goggles® are available directly from our office for patients undergoing eyelid surgery.
If you are planning eyelid surgery and would like to incorporate Lid Lift Goggles® into your recovery plan, our team will be happy to review whether they are right for you, and explain how to use them for optimal bruise and swelling reduction.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Each individual’s treatment and/or results will vary, and no guarantee is stated or implied by any photo or statement used on this website.
Blepharoplasty Consultation
If you are considering cosmetic eyelid surgery and would like to have an in-person consultation with Dr. Abboud, please contact us to schedule an appointment and learn more.