Under-Eye Fat Repositioning: Should You Worry About Double Vision or Strabismus? (Rare Side Effects and the Recovery Process)

Under-eye fat repositioning is an effective surgery that can improve dark circles, tear troughs, and hollowing and bulging under the eyes at the same time.

In fact, many people choose this surgery for a natural and refined impression.

However, one of the most common questions asked during consultations is:

“Can strabismus or double vision occur after surgery?”

To give the conclusion first, these are very rare side effects, but the possibility does definitely exist.

• Why do strabismus and double vision occur? -

Under-eye fat repositioning is performed through a small incision in the conjunctiva, so the surgical field is very narrow.

Because of this, a high level of delicate technique and anatomical understanding is absolutely necessary.

Blood vessels around the eyes. Inferior extraocular muscle. Inferior oblique muscle.

1. Relationship with the inferior oblique muscle (extraocular muscle)

During the process of dissecting the medial and middle fat pads among the under-eye fat,

you encounter the “inferior oblique muscle,” one of the extraocular muscles.

During this process,

• the muscle may be directly damaged, or

• it may become caught by fat or tissue, or

• after surgery, it may be compressed by a hematoma or swelling,

👉 causing double vision (seeing objects as two)

👉 causing strabismus (misalignment of the eyes)

may occur.

2. Why hemostasis is important

The under-eye area is rich in blood vessels, so if hemostasis is not sufficiently achieved, a hematoma can form.

If this hematoma compresses the extraocular muscles, it can lead to temporary double vision or strabismus.

👉 In other words, hemostasis is essential not only for the surgical result but also for safety.

• If you have these symptoms, be sure to check -

If you experience the following symptoms after surgery, you must consult the medical staff.

Downward gaze. Left gaze. Right gaze. Double-vision-related test.

• Objects look double when looking in a certain direction

• The eyes appear misaligned when looking in the mirror

• The symptoms do not improve over time

👉 In most cases, these symptoms occur due to swelling or temporary pressure and often recover,

but it is important to make an accurate assessment.

• Recovery process after surgery (progress explanation) -

Under-eye fat repositioning recovery process. Under-eye fat recovery process. Under-eye swelling after fat repositioning. This is a model whose release has been consented to.

✔ 1 week after surgery

• Slight swelling and bruising present

• Conjunctival swelling may be visible.

• However, it is not very noticeable from the outside.

✔ 1 month after surgery

• Visible swelling has 거의 reduced

• Internally, this is the period when scar tissue stabilizes

👉 During this period,

• the under-eye area may feel slightly firm

• a pulling sensation

• scar-related symptoms may appear, but these are part of the normal recovery process.

✔ 2 months after surgery

• Scar tissue gradually loosens

• The skin and tissue become softer

• The result becomes naturally refined

Before and after under-eye fat repositioning. Before and after under-eye fat repositioning. Under-eye fat repositioning in your 20s. Under-eye fat repositioning in your 30s. This is a model whose release has been consented to.

Under-eye fat repositioning review. Under-eye fat repositioning review. Under-eye fat repositioning in your 30s. This is a model whose release has been consented to.

Before and after under-eye fat repositioning. Before and after under-eye fat repositioning. Under-eye fat repositioning in your 30s. This is a model whose release has been consented to.

👉 In the 2-month post-surgery photos, you can see that the under-eye contour, tear trough, and dark circles that were present before surgery have improved neatly.

• Key points for minimizing side effects, swelling, and bruising -

The two most important factors in preventing strabismus and double vision in under-eye fat repositioning are the following.

1. Thorough hemostasis

• Prevents hematoma

• Prevents compression of the extraocular muscles

2. Minimizing swelling

• Reduces tissue pressure

• Speeds up recovery

👉 In the end, accurate anatomical understanding + delicate surgical technique

determine a safe outcome.

Before and after under-eye fat repositioning. Before and after under-eye fat. Under-eye fat repositioning review. This is a model whose release has been consented to.

Under-eye fat repositioning is a surgery with relatively fast recovery and high satisfaction,

but because it is performed very close to important structures around the eyes,

experience and attention to detail greatly influence the result.