Oculoplastic Surgery – Everything You Need To Know

What is meant by oculoplastic surgery?

To start with the primary definition, oculoplastic surgery aka ophthalmic plastic surgery is a broad term referring to numerous kinds of eye plastic surgeries, to either treat cosmetic conditions or eye-related medical issues. Oculoplastic procedures are performed by ophthalmologists i.e eye doctors having specialization in plastic or reconstructive surgery.

There are multiple oculoplastic surgeries intended to handle medical states and/or cosmetic interests, which are mentioned thoroughly in later part of the blog.

Types of oculoplastic surgery

There are many diverse oculoplastic surgeries meant to address medical situations & cosmetic problems.

Below listed are some of the most common oculoplastic surgery

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

As we get older, the shape & appearance of our eyelids can slacken & furthermore sag giving an older look to the eye and also obstructing the vision. Heredity and sun exposure also contribute to this process. This excess puffy or lax skin is ordinarily caused by long term sun exposure or due to heredity. Blepharoplasty also popularly known as eyelid surgery is performed to make the eye look more youthful and also to achieve a clear and non-obstructive vision.

blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery procedure)

In eyelid, surgery specialists extract excess & sagging skin from the lid. While performing a blepharoplasty procedure, the oculoplastic surgeon makes a cut in the upper lid and later uplifts the skin from the tissue beneath it. Following removal of any excess skin or fat present on the lid. Sometimes patients may also demand the lower lid to be operated on as well, however frequently Blepharoplasty involves the upper lid surgery.

Ptosis Repair

Ptosis pronounced as “toe-sis” is the medical terminology for drooping of the upper eyelid(s). Lowering of the upper eyelid edge produces a decline in the range of vision when the eyelid either partly or entirely hinders the eye pupil.
People suffering from ptosis usually find it difficult to keep their eyelid open. To counterbalance, a patient may regularly arch their eyebrows to lift the drooping eyelids. Patient with severe ptosis needs to raise their eyelids with their fingers to see.

Kids with ptosis may incur amblyopia aka lazy eye or encounter vision developmental obstacles.

Surgery is conducted to reattach or reduce the stretched muscle or tendon. The main purpose of ptosis surgery is to levitate the upper eyelid to revive a normal vision.

Orbital Surgery

Regulating thyroid and eye disorders, cysts, & injury

Pediatric Oculoplastic Surgery

This surgery corrects congenital deformities & handle eye disorders in children or newborn. Pediatric oculoplastic surgeons are specialized in treating eye problem of kids and newborns

Ectropion & Entropion Repair

Ectropion is a state in which the under eyelid is “rolled out” aside from the eye, or is sagging from the eye. This leads to more exposure of the eye causing the eye to dry out. If ectropion is ignored & not treated on time can cause eye irritation, chronic tearing, discharge or even damage to the cornea.

Entropion is an eye condition that is somewhat similar to ectropion, but in this condition, the eyelid is rolled inward toward the eye. A chronically turned-in eyelid can lead to sensitivity to light or may cause eye infections and other eye-related problems.

Skin Cancers or eyelid growth

Skin cancer of the eyelids is comparatively frequent and of various types. The appearance of a bulge or tumour on the eyelid that develops or bleeds must be treated. This includes the physical examination or seldom a biopsy. Oculoplastic surgeon’s expertise in the treatment of eyelid growth due to skin cancer.

Who performs oculoplastic surgeries or what does an oculoplastic surgeon do?

Many believe that oculoplastic surgeries can be performed by any plastic surgeons, which is not true. Even though the oculoplastic surgeon & plastic surgeon pursues the same education, oculoplastic surgeons need to finish the full ophthalmology training, before focusing on plastic surgery. Oculoplastic is performed only by eye doctors having specialization in plastic or reconstructive surgery. To be oculoplastic surgeons doctors first should become board certified eye doctors & then acquire skills related to oculoplastic surgery for a further 2 years.