(Also known as ophthalmic plastic surgery) often referred to as oculoplastic surgery, is plastic surgery focused on the structures surrounding the eye, including the eyelids, orbit (bones and contents of the eye socket), lacrimal system (tear duct system), forehead, and midface area. Because surgery in these areas can affect the comfort and use of your eyes, ophthalmic plastic surgeons are best qualified to perform these delicate and intricate procedures.
Facial lines are inevitable as you grow older. Lines appearing between the eyebrows and on the forehead can make you look older, tired, or even angry. These areas are especially susceptible to repeated muscle contractions; if those contractions are reduced, there will be a softening of the lines.
That’s where BOTOX Cosmetic treatments can help. BOTOX Cosmetic is comprised of purified botulinum toxin medication that can be injected into targeted muscles of the face, allowing those muscles to relax by blocking nerve impulses. The treatment is typically described as a pinching sensation and takes about 10 minutes (depending on the amount of treatment areas). There is no downtime so you can return to your normal routine immediately.
Most patients experience a more youthful, alert and refreshed appearance. The results often give patients a boost in self-confidence as well.
The muscle that is responsible for holding you upper eyelid in place can also weaken over time causing the lid to droop, impairing vision and creating an unbalanced appearance. Our team can tighten this muscle and raise the eyelid with surgery. Our surgeons can help you decide which ptosis treatment is best for you during your Oculoplastic consultation.
The eye produces tears to keep it moist and this fluid drains through a passage called the nasolacrimal duct system. Sometimes this drainage system can become clogged, resulting in excessive tearing, acute infection, and chronic inflammation. A new pathway can be surgically created that will alleviate symptoms and prevent further infections.
When the eyelids take on an abnormal position, this is called an eyelid malposition. The eye muscles may become weak due to aging, surgeries, injury, genetics or other reasons. This can cause:
Surgery can correct the position of the eyelids to provide relief from discomfort, light sensitivity, excessive tearing and many other physical symptoms.
Not all eyelid growths are serious, but you should have an eye doctor assess any type of bumps on your eyelids to rule out forms of skin cancer. Common types include:
Thyroid eye disease occurs when the muscles and fat in your eye sockets become inflamed and swell. Anyone can develop this condition, especially if you have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. It is commonly caused by an autoimmune disease that attacks the normal tissues in the thyroid gland and eyes. Medications, lubricating eye drops, ointments, and other treatments can reduce these symptoms: bulging eyes, redness, dryness, grittiness, light sensitivity, pain, and more.
The eyelids contain oil glands that can become clogged. When this happens, it can cause a painful red bump. Treatments from least to most invasive include:
Blepharospasm is a neurological condition that is characterized by the forcible closure of the eyelids. It is not life-threatening but can cause great difficulty when driving or performing normal daily activities. Botox® can be injected into the affected muscles to temporarily paralyze them and restore normal eyelid function.
This is the most common type of malignancy and is easily treated when detected early. It appears as a hard nodule with a pearly appearance. If left untreated, it can ulcerate the skin and invade surrounding tissues.
While less common than basal cell carcinoma, this cancer can be very aggressive and spread quickly. It can appear as scaly red patches, open sores, elevated growths with a central depression, or warts that crust over and bleed.
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It most often starts on the skin but can progress to other parts of the body including the eyes. It can be life-threatening if left untreated but with early detection and surgical intervention, there is an excellent survival rate.
