Oculoplasty

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Oculoplastic surgery, or Oculoplasty, refers to the surgical procedures involved in dealing with the eye sockets, eyelids, eyebrows, tear ducts, and the face. Any functional or cosmetic surgery carried out to reconstruct, restrictive, or repair the eyes and related structures is an Oculoplasty. Read More

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Oculoplasty

Oculoplastics is carried out by surgeons with a cosmetic surgery and ophthalmology background. They help improve your eyes’ appearance and sight. The surgeries have a high success rate.

Oculoplastic surgeons are cosmetic surgeons with a background in ophthalmology, as they understand the anatomy, function, pathology, and treatment of the eyes. With their knowledge in eye functions, they perform oculoplastic surgery to improve the features of the eyes.

Types of Oculoplasty

Since Oculoplasty covers all surgeries done on the eyes and the related structures, there are quite a number of types available.

Some oculoplastic surgeries include:

There are several frequently performed oculoplastic eyelid surgery procedures including:

Upper Blepharoplasty

This surgical procedure is used to remove excess fat and flesh in the upper lids of your eyes when they sag, to improve on your eyesight and the beauty of your eyes.

Lower Blepharoplasty

In cases where extra skin and fat form bags underneath your skins making it look dull and unattractive, you can go through this surgery to improve on the appearance by taking away that unwanted fat and flesh.

Ptosis Correction

Ptosis is a medical term for drooping upper eyelids. People with this disorder fond it to keep their open, developing lazy eyes and a blurred vision.

This cosmetic surgery is performed on drooping upper eyelids, with a target to elevate the lids and restore the normal field of vision.

Entropion Correction

Entropion is an eye disorder where the eyelids are rolled inwards causing discomfort to the eyes. This may be as a result of advanced age or a weakening of certain eye muscles.

The surgical procedure is used to correct this defect by rolling out the eyelids and strengthening the muscles in the region.

Ectropion Correction

Ectropion is an eye defect where the eyelids are rolled outwards, sagging away from the eyes. This defect gives great discomfort as the eyes lay open and exposed to air and dust. The eyes often get irritated, red, and painful.

The surgical correction is carried out to roll in and straighten the eyelids, by building up the muscles in them.

Epiphora or Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)

This surgical procedure corrects the tearing disorder. For example, if you have a blocked tear duct, DCR can create a passageway by connecting your upper tear ducts to your nose to drain your tears.

Eyelid Growth and Cancer Removal

With the sensitivity of eyelids, growths tend to happen in several people and the can be eyelid cancers. Surgery can be performed to get rid of them.

Eyebrow Lift

This surgical procedure is done to take the eyebrows up by shifting up the brow bones and strengthening the muscles. It is done to improve your appearance.

Misdirected Eyelash Surgery

In some cases, eyelashes grow in the wrong way, entering and frequently irritating the eyes of the victim. Surgeries can be performed to correct this defect.

All forms of reconstructive surgeries for eyelid defects which may be as a result of birth defects, injuries, burns, tumor removals, etc.

Surgery Procedures

Before Surgery,

You will have to consult with your surgeon, where he will go through your medical history, access your situation, and know if you are fit enough for the surgery before a date for your surgery is fixed.

You will be advised to do the following:

  • Stay away from certain medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which can thin the blood and slow down the healing process.
  • Stop smoking and alcohol 2 to 3 weeks before the surgery to aid healing.
  • Come with a personal aide, which can be a family or friend, to assist you after surgery.

In Surgery,

On arrival in the surgery room, you will be given anesthesia based on the type you need. It could be local or general anesthesia.

The surgeon will have to place a special contact lens, to shield your eyes from the effect of the surgical lights.

The surgery will be performed according to the type of oculoplasty you have been scheduled for.

After Surgery,

You will be transferred to the ICU to recover and painkillers given to you to aid you with the pains you are likely to feel after the procedure.

Recovery

According to the type of surgery, you may be able to return home on the same day or may have to stay for some days for your progress to be monitored.

Your recovery rate will depend on the type of oculoplasty you had. But to enable recovery, you have to keep to some guidelines.

  • Pains come naturally after an oculoplastic surgery. Sometimes, swelling and bruising may occur. To keep these under control, wrap a cold pack in a towel and place it on the area.
  • Always prop your head up with a pillow to avoid swelling of eyes.
  • Lay with your eyes facing upwards till you are healed up.
  • Do not strain your eyes while you heal up. Avoid bright lights, wear sunglasses, and keep your eyes shaded, as they will be sensitive during the healing process.
  • Quit any medication that will slow down the healing process. Seek medical advice before taking any drugs.
  • Quit smoking and alcohol for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery to heal faster.
  • Desist from any strenuous activity.
  • Make sure to get the area of incision cleaned and bandage replaced every day, to avoid infections.
  • Be careful while taking your bath. Avoid getting water into your eyes and to the incision area until you are healed. Instead, wipe with clean dampened towels.
  • Visit your oculoplastic surgeon regularly for checkups.

Possible Complications

Oculoplastic surgeries are known to have high success rates as a huge number of people undergo these procedures every year. Still, even with the success rates, complications can arise.

Some complications include:

  • Scarring where incision may refuse to heal
  • Pains that may refuse to fade off even after taking painkillers.
  • Eye infection; swelling, redness, exceeding fluids, etc.
  • Wound rupture.
  • Vision may get impaired or worse.
  • Asymmetry; eyes may not look the same after the procedure.

When any of the following happen, consult your surgeon for the next step.

Causes

Reasons for Oculoplasty

Oculoplastics consist of many surgeries all done for different purposes. These purposes serve as reasons as to why people get oculoplasty. 

The reasons could be cosmetic or functional. Such reasons include:

  • To change the appearance of the face.
  • To correct eye defects such as drooping eyelids, entropion, ectropion, bell palsy, etc.
  • To cure eye problems caused by diseases such as Graves disease.
  • To take out skin growths and cancers in or around the eyes.
  • To cure tear duct problems.
  • To take care of injuries in or around the eyes.

And any other reason links to the eyes.

FAQ

1. How long does an oculoplastic surgery last?

The duration for an oculoplasty is dependent on the type you are going for and the expertise of your surgeon. However, on average, these procedures take 2 to 4 hours.

2. How long does it take to recover from an oculoplasty?

Recovering from an oculoplasty takes patience. Your eyes need to always be at rest and avoid strain. Also, the type of oculoplasty determines how quick your recovery can be. However, recovery can take 3 to 4 weeks.

3. What is the success rate of oculoplasty?

Oculoplasty is among the top sort after surgeries. Many people look to get their eyes attractive and appealing, and in functionality, to improve the eye's appearance and get better eye sights.

With the benefits attached, oculoplastic surgeons have improved on the procedures, reducing the number of complications and in, creating the success of every procedure.

4. How long until I return to work after the procedure?

Strain to the eyes after an oculoplastic surgery is risky. So, it is advised that you rest your eyes till you no longer feel regular pains from the surgery.

2 to 4 weeks is an estimated time to get back to work.

5. Who is eligible for oculoplasty?

Criteria for getting an oculoplastic is often based on the eye condition or defect you have that warrants the surgery.

Still, it is advised that you are mentally capable of handling the surgery and that you have no medical history that would stage a risk for the surgery like diabetics, or leukemia, etc.