What do eyelid specialists do? What kind of training do they have? Are they plastic surgeons or ophthalmologists?
The name of our specialty is oculoplastic surgery. As oculoplastic surgeons, our area of specialization is surgery of the eyelids, orbit, and tear drainage system. In addition, we can divide oculoplastic surgery into two main categories: cosmetic surgery and functional or reconstructive procedures.
The first category deals with plastic surgery of the forehead, eyelids, and cheeks. This includes cosmetic upper eyelid surgery, such as eyelid lift surgery or blepharoplasty, as well as brow lifts, which also affect the contour of the upper eyelids. We also help patients get rid of bags and wrinkles under the eyes with procedures such as lower blepharoplasty, and enhance the cheekbones. Oculoplastic surgeons also apply botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers and use chemical peels and other non-surgical therapies to rejuvenate the eyes.
All of these are procedures that belong to cosmetic surgery; however, eyelid surgeons also perform reconstructive and functional operations. The diagnosis and treatment of eyelid cancer is one such condition, as is the treatment of droopy eyelids (ptosis) and eyelid disorders such as entropion and ectropion, to name a few.
As oculoplastic surgeons, we have the difficult task of operating on the most delicate and complex structures of the face, both anatomically and physiologically. The eyelids play a fundamental role in protecting the cornea and maintaining the integrity of the ocular surface. They are also an integral part of tear distribution across the eye and tear drainage. Therefore, eyelid surgeons make protection of the eye their top priority when performing cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. In fact, eyelid surgeons are physicians who first specialize in eye surgery (ophthalmology) before completing their training in plastic surgery of the eyelids.
We invite you to visit the “procedures” section of our website to learn more about what we oculoplastic surgeons do.
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