What is an Oculoplastic / Oculo-Facial surgeon?

Eye Plastic surgeons, also known as Oculoplastic or Oculo-Facial surgeons are ophthalmologists who have completed  extensive post-residency training in this unique sub-specialty.

The training involves plastic and reconstructive surgery of the periorbital and facial tissues including eyelids & eyebrows, cheeks, orbit, and lacrimal (tear) systtem.

What type of surgeries does an Oculoplastic / Oculo-Facial surgeon perform?

Eyelid (cosmetic eyelid surgery)

• Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty ("eye lift")
• Repair of ptosis (drooping eyelid)
• Excision & reconstruction of skin tumors affecting the skin around the eyes (e.g. basal cell, melanoma
• Management of dry eye
• Evaluation of eyelid laxity, malposition and lagophthalmos
• Treatment of conjunctival / fornix scarring (Symblepharon

Facial  (cosmetic surgery around the eye / eyelids)

• Brow lifts ( direct, indirect and endoscopic)
• Face and Cheek lifts ( Facelift &, Midface lift)
• Skin resurfacing using CO₂ or Erbium LASER or chemical peel
• Injections with Botox for facial wrinkles or blepharospasm
•  Skin Rejuventation (Fillers, Restylane, Collagen, Cosmetic Botox)

Orbital  (reconstructive surgery involving the bones around the eye)

• Evaluation and repair of abnormal (clogged) tear duct system  (lacrimal system)
• Orbital reconstruction following facial trauma
• Surgeries for Grave's disease (thyroid)
• Evaluation and repair of fractures
• Evaluation and management of orbital tumors
• Treatment for loss of an eye (anophthalmia)

 

 

A blepharospasm (from Greek: blepharo, eyelid, and spasm, an uncontrolled muscle contraction), is any abnormal tic or twitch of the eyelid

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease. It most commonly affects the thyroid, causing it to grow to twice its size or more (goiter), be overactive, with related hyperthyroid symptoms such as increased heartbeat, muscle weakness, disturbed sleep, and irritability. It can also affect the eyes, causing bulging eyes (exophthalmos). It affects other systems of the body, including the skin and reproductive organs. It affects up to 2% of the female population, often appears after childbirth, and has a female:male incidence of 5:1 to 10:1. It has a strong hereditary component; when one identical twin has Graves' disease, the other twin will have it 25% of the time. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke is associated with the eye manifestations but not the thyroid manifestations. Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of symptoms, although thyroid hormone tests may be useful, particularly to monitor treatment.