Are you currently using antibiotics, or have you recently completed a course of antibiotics? Or do you have an allergy to certain antibiotics? This is important information for us, even though we do not routinely prescribe antibiotics for an eyelid correction.
Which situations does this concern?
- An ongoing course of antibiotics (for example amoxicillin, doxycycline, or another product) for an infection elsewhere in the body
- A known allergy to antibiotics, particularly penicillins (such as amoxicillin) or sulfa preparations
- Long-term use of antibiotics for chronic conditions (for example for acne, such as doxycycline or lymecycline)
- Previous experiences with wound infections that required antibiotic treatment
Why is this relevant?
For an eyelid correction under local anaesthetic, prophylactic (preventive) antibiotic use is not standard. Research shows that a good, sterile surgical technique with the right skin disinfection can be effective in preventing wound infections even without routine antibiotic use [1].
Still, it is important that we know whether you have an active infection (elsewhere in the body), because this can increase the risk of complications with the eyelid correction, and because we may then want to postpone the procedure until the infection has been treated.
In addition, it is crucial that we know whether you have an allergy to certain antibiotics or other medication, in case antibiotics are needed during or after the procedure after all.
Points of attention
- Always report an active infection, even if it is located elsewhere in the body (for example a bladder infection or a dental infection)
- Always report known allergies to antibiotics or other medication, even if these were a long time ago
- Long-term antibiotic use (for example for acne) can affect the skin flora; we take this into account in our assessment
Our protocol at Kliniek het Bolwerk
1. Extensive medical history
We ask about ongoing or recent courses of antibiotics, the reason for these, and known allergies to medication.
2. Assessment of active infections
In the case of an active infection elsewhere in the body, we discuss whether it is wise to postpone the procedure until the infection has been treated.
3. Careful skin disinfection
We work with careful sterile preparation and skin disinfection, in line with the insights from the literature on infection prevention with eyelid corrections [1].
4. Recording allergies
Known allergies are clearly recorded in your file, so that they are taken into account with any future medication.
Important: always report an active infection or a known allergy to antibiotics, even if you think this is not relevant to your eyes. This information is important for your safety.
When do we advise against the procedure (for the time being)?
- In the case of an active infection elsewhere in the body, until it has been treated
- In the case of signs of a skin infection around the eyes or the face
Our advice
Do you have an ongoing course of antibiotics, an infection, or a known allergy to antibiotics? Always report this during the intake consultation at Kliniek het Bolwerk; this is important information for a safe course of the procedure.
Literature references
The publications below form the medical-scientific basis of this article:
- Aseptic surgical preparation for upper eyelid blepharoplasty via full-face octenidine antiseptic without antibiotic medication shows effective prophylaxis against post-surgical wound infection. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7949559/
