What is an oculoplastic surgeon and what do they treat?
Posted December 14th, 2017
The field of oculoplastic surgery combines the precision and microsurgery of ophthalmology with the aesthetic and reconstructive concepts of plastic surgery. Oculoplastic surgery is a small, highly selective subspeciality of ophthalmology. Oculoplastic surgeons complete a residency in ophthalmology and then a fellowship in Oculoplastic surgery.
Cosmetic Oculoplastic Surgery
Oculoplastic surgeons are focused on the cosmetic concerns around the eyes, upper face and eyebrows. They have extensive training handling the delicate structures around the eyelids.
Typical reasons for cosmetic consultations with an oculoplastic surgeon include
- Drooping, or tired, upper eyelids
- Excess eyelid skin
- Eyelid bags
- Wrinkles
- Hanging or low eyebrows
Treatment Options
- Blepharoplasty
- Endoscopic Brow Lift
- Botox
- Facial and eyelid rejuvenation with fillers
- Laser skin resurfacing
Typical Medical eyelid disorders treated by and oculoplastic surgeon include
- Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
- Congenital malformations
- Trauma (lacerations)
- Tumors (skin cancer)
- Malpositions such as entropion (turned in eyelid) and ectropion (turned out eyelid)
- Styes (chalazia)
- Blepharospasm
- Eyelash abnormalities
Tearing issues treated by an oculoplastic surgeon include
- Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (blocked tear duct)
- Punctal malposition or stenosis (abnormal tear drain)
- Lacrimal system trauma
- Tumors
- Unexplained tearing
- Dry eye