Ophthalmic plastic surgery, or Oculoplastics, is more than just cosmetic procedures around the eyes. While ophthalmic plastic surgery is often performed for purely cosmetic reasons, it can also be used to address a number of health concerns, improve vision, and improve quality of life.
Ophthalmic plastic surgery refers to procedures involving the area around the eyes including the eyebrows, eyelids, eye sockets, tear ducts, and midface. To be a specialist in this field, our surgeons are medical doctors (MDs) who complete four years of college, four years of medical school, four years of ophthalmology residency, AND 2 years of oculoplastics fellowship. It’s a long road and a lot of training, but our surgeons are Washington Eye Physicians & Surgeons are specialists trained to provide the highest quality care.
Blepharoplasty is an ophthalmic plastic surgery most people are familiar with, even if they’ve never heard the technical term. A patient can receive either an upper or lower blepharoplasty. This procedure removes excess fat and/or skin above or below the eyes. It is a popular ophthalmic plastic surgery for its cosmetic results, but also because excess skin and fat on the upper lids can affect a person’s peripheral vision. This impedes one’s ability to comfortably perform simple, everyday tasks like reading and driving. This procedure can be covered by insurance in some cases, and provides improvements to both an individual’s vision and facial appearance.
Ptosis is a condition characterized by droopy eyelids caused by weak eyelid muscles. It is most commonly found in the elderly due to aging, but in some cases, children can be born with the condition. As expected, this condition can interfere with vision. In order to combat this, ptosis is treated with ophthalmic plastic surgery. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis at a surgery center or in clinic. Patients from all over the country and the world often travel to Washington Eye Physicians & Surgeons to see our oculoplastics specialists for their eyelid surgery.
After removing a tumor or experiencing a severe injury to the eye, the tissue in the surrounding area may be affected, necessitating eyelid reconstructive surgery. Unlike cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery is needed to regain the important functions of the eyelids. In addition, ophthalmic plastic surgery can renew a trauma or cancer patient’s self-esteem by improving the appearance of their eyes.
In some cases, complications may arise from previous procedures. For instance, a patient may experience difficulties closing their eyes after a blepharoplasty because the surgeon who performed the procedure removed too much tissue. Our highly specialized ophthalmic plastics surgeons in Chevy Chase can restore proper function with eyelid revision surgery while ensuring an aesthetically pleasing result.
Certain devastating conditions require ophthalmologists to entirely remove a person’s eye. An ophthalmic plastic surgeon can help with the reconstruction of the eye socket to prepare it for a prosthesis. While no amount of aesthetic improvement can compensate for the loss of an eye, our specialists help people who undergo enucleation or evisceration to regain some degree of normalcy. Complications can arise from the procedure, so it is important that a skilled ophthalmic plastic surgeon supervises the patient’s recovery and perform everything from the removal of the eye to the placement of the prosthetic.
Contact Washington Eye Physicians and Surgeons to book an appointment and learn how ophthalmic plastics can improve both your self-esteem and your quality of life.
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The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
