Oculoplastics, or oculoplastic surgery, includes 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 of the eye and associated structures.

Training

An oculoplastic surgeon is a specialized

ophthalmologist Ophthalmology (, ) is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of eye diseases and disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Following a ...

who has completed one or two years of additional fellowship training following ophthalmology residency. Members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
ASOPRS
are the most highly qualified oculoplastic surgeons in North America. To qualify, a member must have passed both the American Board of Ophthalmology certification exams, as well as written and oral board examinations through ASOPRS. A candidate must also have made a significant contribution to the field of oculoplastics, which may take the form of a peer-reviewed publication. Such other surgeons as plastic surgeons, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons may be trained in oculoplastic procedures as well. The total additional training time for an ASOPRS Oculoplastic surgeon is 2 years after a 4-year Ophthalmology residency. The most highly qualified oculoplastic surgeons in the United Kingdom are members of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society. In the UK oculoplastic surgeons will have generally undertaken 8–9 years of training, including 1–2 years of fellowship in addition to 7 years of registrar work (which typically includes 12–18 months of oculoplastic surgery training).

Oculoplastic procedures

Oculoplastic surgeons perform procedures such as the repair of droopy eyelids (

blepharoplasty Blepharoplasty (Greek: ''blepharon'', "eyelid" + ''plassein'' "to form") is the plastic surgery operation for correcting defects, deformities, and disfigurations of the eyelids; and for aesthetically modifying the eye region of the face. With ...

), repair of tear duct obstructions, orbital fracture repairs, removal of tumors in and around the eyes, eyelid and facial reconstruction.

Eyelid surgery

Entropion Entropion is a medical condition in which the eyelid (usually the lower lid) folds inward. It is very uncomfortable, as the eyelashes continuously rub against the cornea causing irritation. Entropion is usually caused by Genetics, genetic factors. ...

ectropion Ectropion is a medical condition in which the lower eyelid turns outwards. It is one of the notable aspects of newborns exhibiting congenital harlequin-type ichthyosis, but ectropion can occur due to any weakening of tissue of the lower eyelid ...

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

Blepharoplasty Blepharoplasty (Greek: ''blepharon'', "eyelid" + ''plassein'' "to form") is the plastic surgery operation for correcting defects, deformities, and disfigurations of the eyelids; and for aesthetically modifying the eye region of the face. With ...

(eyelift) is plastic surgery of the

eyelid An eyelid ( ) is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid, exposing the cornea to the outside, giving vision. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. "Palpebral ...

s to remove excessive skin or subcutaneous fat. ** Asian blepharoplasty * Ptosis repair for droopy eyelid. *

Ectropion Ectropion is a medical condition in which the lower eyelid turns outwards. It is one of the notable aspects of newborns exhibiting congenital harlequin-type ichthyosis, but ectropion can occur due to any weakening of tissue of the lower eyelid ...

repair *

repair * Canthal resection * A canthectomy is the surgical removal of tissue at the junction of the upper and lower eyelids.Cline D; Hofstetter HW; Griffin JR. ''Dictionary of Visual Science''. 4th ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston 1997. * Cantholysis is the surgical division of the canthus. * Canthopexy is the surgical fixation of the canthus. * A

canthoplasty The canthus (: canthi, palpebral commissures) is either corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet. More specifically, the inner and outer canthi are, respectively, the medial and lateral ends/angles of the palpebral fissure. The ...

is plastic surgery at the canthus. * A canthorrhaphy is suturing of the outer canthus to shorten the

palpebral fissure The palpebral fissure is the elliptic space between the medial and lateral canthi of the two open eyelids. In simple terms, it is the opening between the eyelids. In adult humans, this measures about 10 mm vertically and 30 mm horizontally. Va ...

. * A

canthotomy Canthotomy (also called lateral canthotomy and canthotomy with cantholysis) is a surgical procedure where the lateral canthus, or corner, of the eye is cut to relieve the fluid pressure inside or behind the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IO ...

is the surgical division of the canthus, usually the outer canthus. ** A

lateral canthotomy Canthotomy (also called lateral canthotomy and canthotomy with cantholysis) is a surgical procedure where the lateral canthus, or corner, of the eye is cut to relieve the fluid pressure inside or behind the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IO ...

is the surgical division of the outer canthus. *

Epicanthoplasty Epicanthoplasty is a rare eye surgery to modify the epicanthal folds. It can be a challenging procedure because the epicanthal folds overlay the lacrimal canaliculi (tear drainage canals). Although an epicanthic fold can also be associated with a ...

Tarsorrhaphy Tarsorrhaphy is a surgical procedure in which the eyelids are partially sewn together to narrow the eyelid opening. It may be done to protect the cornea in cases of corneal exposure, as a treatment for Graves' ophthalmopathy, Möbius syndrome or ...

is a procedure in which the

s are partially sewn together to narrow the opening (i.e.

). * Removal of eyelid tumors (such as

basal cell carcinoma Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as basal-cell cancer, basalioma, or rodent ulcer, is the most common type of skin cancer. It often appears as a painless, raised area of skin, which may be shiny with Telangiectasia, small blood vessels ru ...

squamous cell carcinoma Squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC), also known as epidermoid carcinoma, comprises a number of different types of cancer that begin in squamous cells. These cells form on the surface of the skin, on the lining of hollow organs in the body, and on the ...

) * A

Hughes procedure The Hughes procedure is an oculoplastic procedure which is performed to reconstruct a lower eyelid defect. It is usually performed as a 2-stage procedure. The most common use for the Hughes procedure is reconstruction after the removal of a lowe ...

Surgery involving the lacrimal apparatus

** External or Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for nasolacrimal duct obstruction *
Canalicular trauma
(canalicular laceration) repair ** Canaliculodacryocystostomy is a surgical correction for a congenitally blocked

tear duct The nasolacrimal duct (also called the tear duct) carries tears from the lacrimal sac of the eye into the nasal cavity. The duct begins in the eye socket between the maxillary and lacrimal bones, from where it passes downwards and backwards. The o ...

in which the closed segment is excised and the open end is joined to the

lacrimal sac The lacrimal sac or lachrymal sac is the upper dilated end of the nasolacrimal duct, and is lodged in a deep groove formed by the lacrimal bone and frontal process of the maxilla. It connects the lacrimal canaliculi, which drain tears from th ...

. ** Canaliculotomy involves slitting of the

lacrimal punctum The lacrimal punctum (: puncta) or lacrimal point is a minute opening on the summits of the lacrimal papillae, seen on the margins of the eyelids at the lateral extremity of the lacrimal lake. There are two lacrimal puncta in the medial (inside) ...

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 Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a surgical procedure to restore the flow of tears into the nose from the lacrimal sac when the nasolacrimal duct does not function. Process Traditional A small incision is made on the side of the nose and some bon ...

(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.Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. ''Dictionary of Eye Terminology''. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company, 1990. ** 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 prosthetic An ocular prosthesis, artificial eye or glass eye is a type of craniofacial prosthesis that replaces an absent natural eye following an enucleation, evisceration, or orbital exenteration. Someone with an ocular prosthesis is altogether blind ...

s (artificial eyes) *

Orbital prosthesis An ocular prosthesis, artificial eye or glass eye is a type of craniofacial prosthesis that replaces an absent natural eye following an enucleation, evisceration, or orbital exenteration. Someone with an ocular prosthesis is altogether bli ...

(artificial replacement of the eye and eyelids within the discipline of Anaplastology) for an extenterated orbit. * Orbital decompression for

Graves' disease Graves' disease, also known as toxic diffuse goiter or Basedow's disease, is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. It frequently results in and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It also often results in an enlarged thyro ...

* Orbital decompression for non-thyroid patients (aesthetic only) * Orbital Tumor Removal - removing tumors around the eye that may compromise vision

Other

Botox Botulinum toxin, or botulinum neurotoxin (commonly called botox), is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium ''Clostridium botulinum'' and related species. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endi ...

injections *

Injectable filler Injectable filler is a special type of substance made for injections into connective tissues, such as skin, cartilage or even bone, for cosmetic or medical purposes. The most common application of injectable fillers is to change one's facial appear ...

* Browplasty

References

{{Eye procedures