Oculoplastic surgery is the cosmetic, corrective, and reconstructive surgery of the eye. It manages and repairs problems primarily related to the tissues or structures surrounding the eye.
Oculoplastic surgery refers to several different types of procedures performed on the eyelids, tear ducts, brows and the skin/bone surrounding the eye (the orbit). These procedures can, and often are, performed to improve both the functionality and the appearance of the eyes.
An oculoplastic surgeon is a specialised ophthalmologist (eye doctor) who has chosen to specialise in both eyelid and facial plastic surgery relevant to the eyes. Oculoplastic surgery spans a wide variety of facial surgical procedures, including, but not limited to, the tear ducts, the eyelids, the eye socket, brow, and midface. Oculoplastic specialists are experts in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids. The most common aesthetic procedure performed is blepharoplasty (eye-lift). When considering cosmetic surgery, there was a time when consulting only a plastic surgeon would cross patients’ minds – but now there is growing interest in the treatment and expertise offered by oculoplastic surgeons.
Oculoplastic surgeons can perform procedures for both cosmetic and medical reasons. They can perform reconstructive surgery, or rejuvenation surgery, for example. There are many types of procedure performed by an oculoplastic surgeon, involving the eye, the socket, tear ducts, and related structures to the eye such as the brow. Most procedures correct specific eye-related conditions.