Oculoplastics

Oculoplastics, or oculoplastic surgery, is a discipline Ophthalmology that
includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the

• orbit (eye socket),
• eyelids,
• tear ducts, and
• the face

Oculoplastics is commonly used as a term for plastic surgery or cosmetic eye surgery for the eyelid areas, either for cosmetic or necessary functional purposes. It also deals with the reconstruction of the eye and associated structures, so is also called Reconstructive Eye Surgery.

The field of oculoplastic surgery is expanding and currently involves many
different areas of ophthalmology including:

• Excision of Skin Malignancies or growths and their repair.
• Complex Reconstruction may be required after skin malignancies are removed to ensure that they do not return
• Eyelid Malpositions including;
  • Ptosis – Drooping of the upper eyelid
  • Ectropion – Drooping of the lower eyelid where the sagging eyelid turns out exposing the eyeball
  • Entropion – In-turning of the lower or upper eyelid with irritation from eyelashes and skin
  • Tear Duct Obstructions – may require bypass surgery.This can be performed from an internal or external perspective
• Eye Socket Surgery – once the eye is removed, reconstruction may be undertaken to allow the artificial eye (prosthesis) to appear lifelike. Without complex socket surgery, a lifeless appearance may occur and movement of the false eye will be minimal.
• Orbital Surgery – may be required for patients with problems in the eye socket such as thyroid eye disease. This is where excessive swelling of the tissues behind the eye occurs and the eye is pushed forward
• Blepharoplasty – Correction of excess skin on the eyelids that may or may not interfere with vision.