What is oculoplastic surgery?
Oculoplastic surgery is associated with the diagnosis and treatment for diseases and disorders of the eyelids, eye sockets, and tear ducts. Oculoplastic surgery is a super specialty which requires years of hard work, skill and precision. Therefore, very few doctors can perform surgery safely with desired results.
Who is an oculoplastic surgeon?
Oculoplastic surgeon is a trained and highly-experienced ophthalmologist who offers patients the opportunity to enhance their appearance.
A variety of disorders can occur around the orbit, the space between the eye and the bones. These disorders may include eye diseases such as orbital inflammation or proptosis (protrusion of the eye), skin cancer, and trauma-related injury. Treatment is often offered in the form of orbital and ocular reconstruction.
Some of the disorders that need treatment:
Ptosis
This is a condition in which the upper eyelid droops. The eyelid may droop only slightly, but sometimes it may partially or completely cover the pupil. This restricts or obscures the vision. Any extra tissues or skin on the surface can be treated with cosmetic blepharoplasty. Sometimes droopin eyelid condition can be confused with the extra fat or tissue deposits in the eyelids.
Sometimes the link between the levator muscles i.e. the muscle which is used to raise the upper eyelid and the tarsus near the margin of the eyelid, weakens. It can lead to drooping eyelids. Generally the onset is observed in adults. It can be due to aging, trauma or injury and due to prolonged use of contact lenses. The surgery can for drooping eyelids can be done as en elective surgery which can be aimed at achieving pure cosmetic results.
Eyelid Malposition
Eyelids need to be in a normal position to ensure functions such as eye protection, for good tear production and drainage and to allow the eyelids to close properly when blinking. When the eyelids are malpositioned, they can cause severe irritation to the eyes. It can result in tearing, pain, and chronic discharge. Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid is turned in toward the eye. Ectropion is a condition where the lower eyelid is turned out away from the eye. Both entropion as well as ectropian can be surgically treated.
Eyelid Reconstruction
Eyelid reconstruction is often required following trauma or tumor excision. Reconstruction can be performed using a variety of tissue flaps and grafts, but it majorly depends on the degree and location. In some cases, eyelid cancers are best removed surgically by a Mohs surgeon – specially trained surgeon.
Eyelid Lesions
lesions on the eyelids are little bumps which can be either benign or malignant. Depending upon the lesion, a surgeon may decide on the treatment which begins with a biopsy. The results of biopsy dictate whether or not the lesion has to be excised. In some cases, the lesion can be placed under observation. The most commonly occurring types of eyelid lesions are cysts, skin tags, chalazions etc.
Bell’s Palsy
Weakness of the facial nerve leads to weakness on one side of the face. Eyelids and eye are usually affected depending on the severity of the weakness. There can be weakness in blinking and closing the eyelids that can result in irritation, pain, and a potential risk for infection. Surgical and non-surgical techniques are available to protect the eye and provide symptomatic relief and functional improvement.
Blocked tear duct
Normally tears drain from the eye surface through tear ducts system. When your tear ducts are blocked, it usually affects the drainage of the tear. Lacrimal surgery may be required to correct this condition. Reconstructive surgery may be performed depending upon the obstruction and location of the closure. The location will be determined at the initial consultation and the treatment plan designed at that time. The treatment may include simple use of eye drops or may involve minor surgery which is done on out-patient basis.
A reputed and experienced doctor should be chosen to perform the procedure so that no post-operative complications are encountered.
Dr. Debraj Shome is considered to be one of the best plastic surgeons in Chandigarh and in India. Dr. Shome has acquired his training and fellowship in oculoplastic surgery from some of the best institutes in the world.
He has been honored with many awards such as ‘Top 10 Cosmetic Surgeons in India’, ‘Best Oculoplastic Surgeon India’, ‘Marquis Who’s Who’, ‘Celebrity Plastic Surgeon in World’, ‘Marquis Who’s Who Asia Pacific’ etc for his excellence in the plastic surger