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Page 422 Brochu et al. Art Int Surg 2024;4:411-26 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ais.2024.61

Eyelid surgery
What are the risks and complications associated with eyelid surgery?
ChatGPT’s response opens with an explanation of blepharoplasty and a few statements about the
importance of considering risk factors before getting this procedure. It then lists the following potential
risks and complications: bleeding, infection, scarring, changes in vision, dry eyes, difficulty closing eyes
completely, ectropion or entropion, unsatisfactory anesthetic result, anesthesia risks, hematoma, numbness
or changes in sensation, and recovery issues. Each of these potential risks is accompanied by a sentence or
two of explanation. The response ends with a statement about the importance of choosing an experienced
surgeon, having a discussion with this surgeon about risks and complications, undergoing a thorough
preoperative evaluation, following postoperative care instructions, and having realistic expectations.

ChatGPT provides a suitable explanation of blepharoplasties. The ASPS lists the complications associated
with blepharoplasties:
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding from the incision lines
• Changes in skin sensation or numbness of the eyelashes
• Difficulty closing your eyes
• Dryness to the eyes
• Ectropion, an outward rolling of the lower eyelid
• Infection
• Lid lag, a pulling down of the lower eyelid, may occur and is often temporary
• Pain, which may persist
• Possible need for revision surgery
• Sensitivity to sun or other bright light
• Swelling and bruising
• Temporary or even permanent change in vision, and very rare chance of blindness
• Unfavorable scarring

Compared to the ASPS list, the ChatGPT list of complications is similarly comprehensive, though it
includes explanations of each complication, and the ASPS article does not. The ASPS article includes a few
complications not listed by ChatGPT, such as lid lag and light sensitivity. The ChatGPT response places
more emphasis on discussing complications with a surgeon, following care instructions, and having realistic
expectations.

How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
This response begins with a statement about how recovery time can vary from person to person based on a
variety of factors. It then breaks up the postoperative time frame into 6 sections: immediate postoperative
period (first few days), first week, first two weeks, two to four weeks, four to six weeks, and six weeks
onward. The details of these sections are similar to the corresponding section in the liposuction sample.
They include the time frame for swelling and bruising reduction, cold compress and pain medication usage,
head elevation, makeup and contact lens usage, and resuming increasingly strenuous activities. It also
discusses how full recovery can take several months, when sutures can be removed, and how scarring can be
managed. The next section on assistance the patient may need during recovery is essentially identical to the
sample liposuction section.