Oculoplastic Surgery, also known as Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oculo-facial Surgery or Eye Plastic Surgery or Oculo Facial Plastic Surgery, is a surgical sub-specialty derived from Ophthalmology (eye surgery) that deals with the medical diagnosis, reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgical management of deformities, diseases & abnormalities of the eyelids,lacrimal (tear) system, orbit (bony socket surrounding eye) & the adjacent face. An Oculoplastic Surgeon is a surgeon who has undergone residency training in Ophthalmology & then undergone a super-specialized fellowship training in Oculoplastic Surgery (Oculoplasty) – i.e. an Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) who has completed additional advanced training in plastic surgery, as it relates to the eyes, face and surrounding structures.

Oculoplastic Surgeon = Plastic Surgeon with special training in reconstructive surgery of eyelids, orbital area, lacrimal area (tear duct), socket & cosmetic surgery of mid & upper face.

Oculoplastic procedures:

Oculoplastic surgeons perform procedures such as the repair of droopy eyelids (ptosis surgery), repair of tear duct obstructions & watering eyes (lacrimal surgery), orbital fracture repairs, removal of tumors in and around the eyes, eyelid reconstruction (post eyelid skin cancers) and facial rejuvenation procedures including laser skin resurfacing, eye lifts (blepharoplasty), brow lifts, botox for eyelid conditions like blepharospasm and facelifts.

Eyelid Surgery:

Entropion, ectropion, ptosis, and eyelid tumors are commonly treated by various forms of eyelid surgery.

Blepharoplasty (eyelift) is plastic surgery of the eyelids to remove excessive skin or subcutaneous fat.

Asian blepharoplasty (Double eyelid surgery).
Ptosis repair for droopy eyelid.
Ectropion repair.

Eyelid flaps and grafts for eyelid cancers/ tumors/ tumours – Skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous cell carcinoma and malignant melanomas are treated by oculoplastic surgeons using a variety of flaps, grafts and reconstructive surgery techniques.

Entropion Repair.

Canthal Resection.
A canthectomy is the surgical removal of tissue at the junction of the upper and lower eyelids.
Cantholysis is the surgical division of the canthus.

Canthopexy
A canthoplasty is plastic surgery at the canthus.
A canthorrhaphy is suturing of the outer canthus to shorten the palpebral fissure.
A canthotomy is the surgical division of the canthus, usually the outer canthus.
A lateral canthotomy is the surgical division of the outer canthus.

Epicanthoplasty
Tarsorrhaphy is a procedure in which the eyelids are partially sewn together to narrow the opening (i.e. palpebral fissure).
Removal of eyelid tumors (such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma)

Surgery involving the lacrimal apparatus
DCR (Dacryocystorhinostomy) for Tearing
Canaliculodacryocystostomy is a surgical correction for a congenitally blocked tear duct in which the closed segment is excised and the open end is joined to the lacrimal sac.
Canaliculotomy involves slitting of the lacrimal punctum and canaliculus for the relief of epiphora.
A dacryoadenectomy is the surgical removal of a lacrimal gland.
A dacryocystectomy is the surgical removal of a part of the lacrimal sac.
A dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) or dacryocystorhinotomy is a procedure to restore the flow of tears into the nose from the lacrimal sac when the nasolacrimal duct does not function.
A dacryocystostomy is an incision into the lacrimal sac, usually to promote drainage.
A dacryocystotomy is an incision into the lacrimal sac.

Eye removal
An enucleation is the removal of the eye leaving the eye muscles and remaining orbital contents intact.
An evisceration is the removal of the eye’s contents, leaving the scleral shell intact. Usually performed to reduce pain in a blind eye.
An exenteration is the removal of the entire orbital contents, including the eye, extraocular muscles, fat, and connective tissues; usually for malignant orbital tumors.

Orbital Reconstruction
Ocular prosthetics (artificial eyes)
Orbital prosthesis (artificial replacement of the eye and eyelids within the discipline of Anaplastology) for an extenterated orbit.
Orbital decompression for Graves’ disease.

Others
Botox Injections.
Ultrapeel Microdermabrasion.
Endoscopic forehead and browlift.
Face lift (Rhytidectomy).
Liposuction of the face and neck.
Browplasty.

What you can expect from oculoplastic surgery

Understanding oculoplastic surgery is important if you have been prescribed to go for it by your doctor. Oculoplastic surgery is performed on people of all ages and is usually done on an outpatient basis. Every year, the world sees a lot of oculoplastic surgeries being performed. In fact, Blepharoplasty, which is one of the most important forms of oculoplastic surgery, is actually one of the most common plastic surgery procedures done in the world every year.

 Types of oculoplastic surgery

Following are some of the most important types of oculoplastic procedures done:

  1. Lacrimal treat duct obstruction surgery
  2. Eyelid lift surgery
  3. Ptosis procedure
  4. Orbital surgery for thyroid disorders
  5. Facial rejuvenation
  6. Forehead and brow lift

 Preparation for oculoplastic surgery

If you are planning to get oculoplastic surgery in the near future, then here are ways you should prepare.

  1. Avoid certain medications from a week before the D-Day. If you take medications such as Warfarin or anti-inflammatory drugs, then it is important that you let your oculoplastic surgeon know about it beforehand.
  2. Before you decide to go for oculoplastic surgery, make sure that you book an appointment with your regular doctor. He is the one who should be giving you the clear to go for the procedure. He is aware of your medical history and he will be the first to let you know if there will be any complications health-wise if you go for oculoplastic surgery.
  3. After the initial consultation with your oculoplastic surgeon, make sure that you ask for a preparatory appointment with him as well. This is the time when you should ask any questions you might have about oculoplastic surgery.

Getting oculoplastic surgery done can be a step in the right direction. Preparing for oculoplastic surgery beforehand will ensure that your recovery is easy. Finding the most skilled and best oculoplastic surgeon like Dr. Debraj Shome at The Esthetic Clinics in Mumbai, India, is a good, first step.