Conditions We Treat with Oculoplastic Surgery

Oculoplastic surgery, often simply called oculoplastics, encompasses procedures for conditions affecting the areas around the eyes, including the eyelids, tear ducts, and eye socket. These procedures can also repair or alter the appearance of the eyebrows, forehead, and cheeks.

Our oculoplastic surgeon specialises in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the eye and surrounding facial areas, addressing various conditions, including:

Ptosis is a condition in which the upper eyelid droops, often impairing vision in one or both eyes. The droop may be present at birth or acquired due to ageing, nerve damage, trauma, past eye surgeries, or underlying muscle weakness. Ptosis surgery is performed to elevate the eyelid and restore normal vision.

Ectropion occurs when the eyelid, most commonly the lower eyelid, loses elasticity and turns outward. This exposes the inner surface of the eyelid and the eye, leading to dryness and irritation. Corrective surgery involves removing a small amount of tissue from the eyelid, tightening the muscles, and stitching the eyelid back into its proper position.

Entropion occurs when the lower eyelid turns inward, causing eyelashes to rub against the eye's surface. This constant irritation can lead to injury or infection, necessitating surgical correction to restore the eyelid to its normal position.

Epiblepharon is a congenital eyelid condition commonly seen in children, characterised by an abnormal horizontal fold of skin near the upper or lower eyelid. This extra fold of skin and underlying muscle pushes the eyelashes vertically towards the eye surface. While some cases resolve naturally or with conservative treatments, persistent cases may require surgical intervention. During surgery, a small piece of skin and muscle is removed from the eyelid to redirect the eyelashes away from the eye.

Blocked tear ducts, also known as nasolacrimal duct obstruction, occur when the drainage system for tears is blocked, leading to symptoms such as excessive tearing and recurrent eye infections. When conservative treatments are insufficient, a surgical procedure called dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is performed. DCR creates a new pathway for tears to drain from the eye into the nasal cavity, alleviating symptoms and preventing future infections.

We offer surgical procedures to treat and manage a range of disorders affecting the eye socket (orbit), such as:

Orbital Fractures

Orbital fractures are breaks in the bones that form the eye socket. These are typically caused by blunt force trauma from incidents such as sports injuries, car accidents, or falls. Surgical repair aims to restore normal eye positioning and muscle function.

Orbital Tumours

Orbital tumours are abnormal growths that develop within the eye socket. These can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Oculoplastic surgeons are specifically trained to access the orbit and remove these tumours, particularly when they affect vision, eye movement, facial appearance, or overall comfort.

Orbital Inflammation

Orbital inflammation involves swelling and irritation of the tissues within the eye socket. Its onset can be sudden or gradual, varying with the underlying cause. While many cases are effectively managed with medications like steroids or antibiotics, oculoplastic surgery may become necessary if medical treatment proves insufficient.

Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves’ Orbitopathy)

Thyroid eye disease (Graves’ orbitopathy) is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the muscles and fatty tissue behind the eyes. This leads to swelling, dryness, or bulging of the eyes, which may eventually result in vision loss. Oculoplastic surgery becomes necessary in such cases to protect visual function and restore the eyes' appearance.

Chalazia and eyelid cysts are common conditions that appear as recurrent or persistent lumps on the eyelid. These often result from blocked oil glands and may cause discomfort, swelling or affect vision if they grow large enough. While some may resolve on their own, surgical removal is often needed for those that persist, cause significant symptoms, or become infected. This minor procedure effectively removes the lump and provides relief.

Oculoplastic surgery may be considered when symptoms begin to interfere with daily activities, significantly impacting quality of life. This includes obstructed or reduced vision, persistent eye fatigue or discomfort during tasks like reading or screen time, and chronic eye irritation or excessive tearing.

Surgical intervention may also be necessary to address functional issues such as difficulty keeping the eyes open due to droopy eyelids (ptosis), or eyelids that turn inward or outward. Additionally, surgery can be an option for cosmetic concerns that affect self-confidence or comfort, even without severe functional impairment.

If you are seeking oculoplastic surgery for your eye concerns, we encourage you to consult our surgeon. Our clinic provides comprehensive oculoplastic care to help you see clearly, feel comfortable, and look your best. Contact us to schedule an appointment.