Oculoplastic surgery
What is Oculoplastic Surgery?
Oculoplastic surgery consists of a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face. It also deals with the reconstruction and aesthetic eyelid and facial plastic surgery. It is an area of specialization in ophthalmology that focuses on the treatment of eyelid abnormalities, lacrimal problems, and orbital disease, including eye socket trauma and Grave’s disease.
Many surgeons perform these oculoplastic surgeries, but given the difficulty in obtaining top quality results, the best oculoplastic surgeon should perform the surgery.
Who is an Oculoplastic surgeon?
Oculoplastic surgeons are highly-skilled who have completed their ophthalmology training as well as additional surgical training. This makes them highly skilled professionals who can address abnormal eyelid position and asymmetry and can perform reconstructive procedures on the lids following cancer removal, burns, or injuries due to trauma.
Oculoplastic surgeons are trained to perform different types of eyelid and facial surgery. These surgeries can be simple eyelid malpositions or more complicated reconstruction involving the eyelids and forehead, cheeks etc.
Reasons for consultation include:
- drooping, or tired, upper eyelids
- excess eyelid skin
- eyelid bags
- post-cosmetic eyelid surgery complications
Some of the disorders treated by an Oculoplastic Surgeon in Chennai:
Through cosmetic eyelid surgery, fatty bags under the eyes, excess skin and fat of the upper eyelids, and drooping eyebrows can be effectively improved.
Blepharospasm: This condition causes excessive and involuntary eye blinks.
It is believed that blepharospasm is caused when there is a lack of coordination among the signals between the brain and the muscles that make up the eye. The patient may also experience spasms of the face and neck muscles as well. Some people may have only one episode of blepharospasm while for others, it becomes a chronic condition. Several treatments are available to help control the spasm.
Dry Eye Syndrome: This condition is also called dysfunctional tear syndrome, keratitis sicca or dry eye syndrome. If the layers of tears which cover the eyes are insufficient in quantity/ quality, it may cause drying of the eyes.
Entropion and ectropion: When the lower eyelid turns outward, this condition is called ectropion. When the lid turns inward, this is called entropion.
When someone has entropion, the eyelid skin and eyelashes rub against the eye. This leads to excessive tearing, mucous discharge as well as crusting of the eyelid. The patient may experience a general uncomfortable feeling that something is in the eye.
Eyelid and orbit injuries: The eyelids and the bones of the orbit may be damaged by many types of trauma including accidents, fights, sports injuries, etc. Proper repair of the initial injuries as well as possible needed plastic surgery may be extremely important in restoring the proper protective function and cosmetic appearance of the eyelids and orbital bones.
Droopy eyebrows: Heaviness or sagging of the eyebrow places weight on the upper lid. Such eyebrows are sometimes referred to as “heavy” or “droopy” eyebrows. Brow lift surgery is performed to reposition the eyebrow and decrease the hanging skin in order to improve one’s appearance and visual function.
Eye tumors: Any type of abnormal tissue growth is considered a tumor. Tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Both of these types of tumors can occur in the eye, eyelid, or orbit.
Treatment is available for eye, eyelid and orbit tumors. If eye tumors run in your family, you should have regular eye examinations.
Eyebrows lift: Patients who have heaviness above their eyes may have deflated or sagging eyebrows. Surgery to lift the brow can be performed to help elevate the brow tissue. When it comes to brow lift, there are a number of surgical approaches available. This is sometimes combined with upper eyelid lifting (blepharoplasty) surgery to obtain the best result.
Bulging eyes: When the eyeball is pushed forward, an abnormal amount of the eye “white” is exposed. When this happens, the cause is often a swelling or growth that occurs behind the eye. The eyelid may not close properly and the eye may feel excessively dry. The patient may experience blurred vision or double vision.
While you may be in Chennai, you should travel where ever the best oculoplastic surgeon is in India and the world, so surgery can be successful the first time itself.
Dr. Debraj Shome is considered to be one of the best plastic surgeons in Chennai 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 surgery.