Background & Scope
Oculoplastic surgery is a specialized field of ophthalmology that focuses on the treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the eyelids, orbits, tear ducts, and upper face and forehead. Oculoplastic surgeons are highly trained to perform a wide range of procedures, from reconstructive and cosmetic treatments to reconstructive and functional treatments.
The scope of oculoplastic surgery includes the diagnosis and treatment of several common eyelid disorders, such as entropion, ectropion, ptosis, lid malposition, tumors, drooping brows, and eyelid malposition. Other conditions addressed by oculoplastic surgeons include tearing or watery eyes, orbital fractures, orbital tumors, tear duct problems, facial nerve paralysis, thyroid-related eye disease (Graves’ disease), facial reconstruction after trauma or removal of cancer, orbital floor fractures, blepharoplasties, and eyelid malignancies.
Oculoplastic surgeons are skilled in cosmetic procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), brow lift (forehead lift), orbital bony remodeling (reshaping the bones around the eyes), and midface lift (lifting the cheeks). These procedures help to improve the appearance of the eyes and upper face by reducing wrinkles, puffiness under the eyes, and sagging skin.
Oculoplastic surgery requires years of specialized training in order to provide safe and effective treatments. All oculoplastic surgeons should have completed a fellowship program in oculoplastics. During these fellowships they gain valuable experience in the surgical techniques used in oculoplastic surgery as well as learn how to diagnose and treat a variety of eye conditions.
Qualifications, Training, and Certifications
Oculoplastic surgeons are highly trained to perform a wide range of procedures, from reconstructive and cosmetic treatments to reconstructive and functional treatments.
In order to become an oculoplastic surgeon, a physician must first complete a residency program in ophthalmology. Following residency, oculoplastic surgeons complete a fellowship program in oculoplastics. During these fellowships, they gain valuable experience in the surgical techniques used in oculoplastic surgery as well as learn how to diagnose and treat a variety of eye conditions.
Conditions, Diseases, Treatments, and Procedures
Oculoplastic surgeons are highly trained to perform a wide range of procedures, from reconstructive and cosmetic treatments to reconstructive and functional treatments. The field includes orbital reconstruction, eyelid reconstruction, orbitofacial trauma care, and cosmetic facial surgery.
Oculoplastic surgeons diagnose and treat many common eyelid disorders, such as entropion, ectropion, ptosis, lid malposition, tumors, drooping brows, and eyelid malposition. The practice also includes diagnosing and treating tearing or watery eyes, orbital fractures, orbital tumors, tear duct problems, facial nerve paralysis, and thyroid-related eye disease (Graves’ disease). They perform facial reconstruction after trauma or removal of cancer, repair orbital floor fractures, and remove eyelid malignancies. Their procedures include blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), brow lift (forehead lift), orbital bony remodeling (reshaping the bones around the eyes), midface lift (lifting the cheeks), eyelid reconstruction to treat ptosis and entropion/ectropion, lacrimal system surgery for watery eyes, tumor, or blocked tear ducts, and polyp removal. Oculoplastic surgeons also perform reconstructive surgery to address facial nerve paralysis and reconstructive surgery after trauma or cancer removal. Additionally they can perform cosmetic procedures such as botox injections and dermal fillers.
Related Medical Specialties
Oculoplastic surgery is a specialized field of ophthalmology that focuses on the treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the eyelids, orbits, tear ducts, and face. Oculoplastic surgeons are highly trained to perform a wide range of procedures, from reconstructive and cosmetic treatments to reconstructive and functional treatments.
There are several related medical specialties that collaborate with oculoplastic surgeons in order to provide the best treatment possible for patients. Some of these related specialties include otolaryngology (ENT), plastic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic surgery, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, ocular trauma, and radiation oncology.
Otolaryngologists (ENTs) specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, and throat disorders. They often work with oculoplastic surgeons to treat facial nerve paralysis or other facial nerve issues.
Plastic surgeons specialize in the reconstruction and repair of body parts after trauma or surgery. They may collaborate with oculoplastic surgeons to repair facial fractures or to reconstruct areas of the face following cancer removal.
Dermatologists specialize in conditions affecting the skin and may work with oculoplastic surgeons to diagnose and treat skin cancers around the eye or on the face. They may defer to an oculoplastic surgeon the removal of eyelid growths such as milia.
Neurologists specialize in treating disorders of the nervous system, including facial nerve paralysis. They often work with oculoplastic surgeons to diagnose facial nerve paralysis and provide treatment options.
Oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer. They may collaborate with oculoplastic surgeons to diagnose and treat cancers around the eyes or on the face.
Radiation oncologists specialize in using radiation therapy to treat cancer. They may work with oculoplastic surgeons to determine if radiation therapy is an appropriate treatment option for a patient’s specific cancer diagnosis.
Ophthalmologists treat the eye and might refer a patient for eyelid, tear duct (lacrimal), and or orbital issues. Subspecialists in ocular trauma might refer a patient for reconstruction.
Medical-Legal Cases Involving Oculoplastic Surgery
Oculoplastic surgeons are highly trained to perform a wide range of procedures, from reconstructive and cosmetic treatments to reconstructive and functional treatments. It might be alleged that a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) procedure created an asymmetry. Another case might involve an allegation of failure to diagnose thyroid eye disease (Graves’ Disease). Child abuse cases sometimes involve orbital fractures and the need for an oculoplastic surgeon. Criminal cases with orbital, eyelid, or lacrimal injuries may be best handled by an oculoplastic surgeon.