What Is Oculoplastic Surgery and What Are Its Types?

Oculoplasty, or ophthalmic plastic surgery, is associated with the eye and its adjacent structures. It can basically be thought of as a form of eye surgery that combines plastic surgery and ophthalmology.

What Is Oculoplastic Surgery?

Oculoplastic surgery is one of the best solutions for eye-related medical issues. It also helps to improve the cosmetic appearance of your eyes and their surrounding areas. There are various medical conditions related to eyes that may require oculoplastic surgery. For example, it may be carried out to improve comfort, function, and appearance for the following conditions:

• Eyelid malposition
• Tear drainage problems
• Problems of the eye socket
• Skin cancers of the eyelid
• Eyebrow problems

Types of Oculoplastic Surgery

Oculoplastic surgeries are mainly divided into four categories. They are,

1. Reconstructive/functional oculoplastic surgery

These procedures are often performed to restore a more visually pleasing appearance in patients, particularly if their eyelids or face have been disfigured by scarring or lesions. These surgeries are also useful in restoring the normal functioning of the periorbital area.

These types of surgeries mainly include:

• Ptosis or eyelid drooping surgery: This surgery becomes necessary in some patients when the drooping eyelids impair their vision. In this surgery, cosmetic lifting of the eyelids is performed
• Eyelid malposition: This surgery is performed to adjust the eyelids when they are not at equal levels
• Eyelid lesions: This is a surgery intended to remove growths found anywhere on the eyelids or surrounding areas of the eyes
• Eyelid reconstruction: This surgery aims to restore the appearance of your eye spoiled by scars, lesions, or after MOHS surgery that’s used to treat skin cancer.

2. Orbital oncology surgery

Orbital oncology surgery is often necessary when the ocular orbit of your eye is diseased or injured. This surgery may be carried out to repair the damage, remove lesions, reconstruct the socket or remove the eye.

This surgery may also be needed for Graves' disease or thyroid eye disease, an autoimmune disorder that upsets the eyelids, muscles of the eyes, and many other soft tissues that enclose the eye. Surgical treatments assist in managing the symptoms such as eyelid retraction or malposition, ocular proptosis (bulging of the eyes), and double vision when the disease is stable.

3. Tear duct surgery

The main function of tear ducts in your eyes is to drain tears from the top portion of the eyes. If your tear ducts malfunction, you will experience red, watery, and irritated eyes along with chronic eye infections. In such cases, a tear duct surgery can explore and reconstruct any area within your eye, depending on where the closure or obstruction occurs.

See Also. Blocked Tear Duct in Babies: Symptoms and Treatment

4. Cosmetic oculofacial plastic surgery

Another type of surgery targeted at individuals born with a face they feel is inferior to others. Cosmetic oculofacial plastic surgery can be done on such individuals to change their facial structure and make them more confident.

Some of the most common surgeries that are done for this purpose include:

• Blepharoplasty: This surgery helps to remove or lift the sagging skin under the eyes
• Brow lift: Here, the forehead is elevated to brighten your appearance
• Facelift: This surgery is used to remove the excess skin and fat so that the remaining skin appears more tightened
• Rhinoplasty: This surgery is carried out for nose reshaping
• Fat grafting: In this surgery, fat is moved to another location on your face where you want to add volume
• Cheek, lip, and chin augmentation: Here, your natural features are volumized

When Does a Patient Need Oculoplastic Surgery?

Even though your ophthalmologist is the best person who can suggest surgery, certain symptoms you may experience can also tell that you may need an oculoplastic surgery soon. Some of these symptoms are,

• Excessive blinking of the eyes
• Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
• Twitching eyes
• Blocked tear ducts
• Bulging eyes
• Scars, wrinkles, or folds surrounding the eyes
• Entropion/ectropion (eyelids pulling in or out)
• Tumors surrounding or inside the eye
• Excessive fat in eyelids(blepharoplasty)
• Orbit tumors
• The absence of an eye
• Burns of the eye

If you require help with a diseased or injured eye or change your facial features, an oculoplastic surgeon is what you need. Netralayam is one of the well-known eye hospitals for oculoplastic surgery in Kolkata. We have the expertise and experience to handle any case, irrespective of its complexity. Call us or schedule your appointment with our team of renowned eye doctors at Netralayam today to know the oculoplastic eye surgery options available for you!