The eyelids are thin folds of skin that cover and protect the human eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid to "open" the eyes. A variety of problems can involve the eyelids and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Surgeons are expertly skilled in addressing issues as they develop.
AGING
As we age, the skin thins out even more. The tissue typically stretches, sags and loses volume. Often the first place aging becomes apparent is in the eyelids. Heavy upper eyelids (ptosis) can interfere with vision. When vision is impaired, insurance companies will often pay for surgery to lift the lids.
Lost skin elasticity, and/or sagging, baggy eyelids can easily be treated.
Our surgeons are available for consultation to discuss a variety of eyelid plastic surgery procedures like blepharoplasty.
When surgery is required it is important to consider that the upper eyelid continues from the eyebrow and the lower lid continues from the cheek. For both a brow lift and/or cheek lift may be needed to obtain the best result.
Another facet of aging eyelids is that they can turn and creep in towards the eye (entropion) or, vice versa, turn away from the eye (ectropion).
Eyelid skin (along with all skin) is quite active and is susceptible to a variety of conditions.
A range of problems from benign warts and styes to malignant tumors or lesions like basal cell carcinoma occur on the eyelids. Sometimes, only a biopsy can be done to make the correct diagnosis.
As ophthalmologists trained in plastic surgeon the members of ASOPRS are the best surgeons for your eyelid needs.
Ptosis: Ptosis is when the upper eyelid droops over the eye. The eyelid may droop just a little, or so much that it covers the pupil (the black dot at the center of your eye that lets light in). Ptosis can limit or even completely block normal vision.
Children and adults can have ptosis. Fortunately, this condition can be treated to improve vision as well as appearance.
Blepharoplasty:Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids. Surgery can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids or both.
Entropion: Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid is rolled inward toward the eye. It can occur as a result of advancing age and weakening of certain eyelid muscles. It may also occur as a result of trauma, scarring, or previous surgeries. Entropion may also occur in children.
Ectropion: Ectropion is when your lower eyelid turns or sags outward, away from your eye, exposing the surface of your inner eyelid. This condition can cause eye dryness, excessive tearing, and irritation. Ectropion may be due to several factors, including facial paralysis and injury.
Eyelid Reconstruction: Defects can occur for a variety of reasons, but most commonly after trauma or tumor excision. Larger defects may extend through the entire eyelid and may require complex reconstruction. There may be the need to use transfer of adjacent tissues called "skin grafts."
Eyelid Tumors: The eyelid skin is the thinnest and most sensitive skin on the body. Sun damage as well as environmental toxins can cause the skin to age. Skin cancer of the eyelids is very common and there are several types. Any presence of a nodule or lesion should be evaluated. This involves examination and sometimes a biopsy to discover Basal Cell Carcinoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma.
For more information vist the ASOPRS website.
Eyebrow and Forehead Lifting addresses eyebrow position and loose or wrinkled forehead skin and underlying tissue. To fully understand the benefits of eyebrow and forehead lifting, one must be aware of the importance of the position of the eyebrows.
Eyebrow position changes as we age.
Our natural eyebrow position, the effects of gravity and fat deflation, how active our eyebrow and forehead muscles are, and previous eyelid, eyebrow or forehead surgeries (if applicable), all contribute to the position our eyebrows are in today. The face sends a message, and the position of the eyebrows is a significant part of that message. That message could be, "I feel worried," "I feel angry," or "I feel stressed." The message could also be, "I feel calm, rested,and relaxed."
There are several types of eyebrow and forehead lifts. The type you and your surgeon choose will depend on your current eyebrow position, facial structure, and on what is possible to maximize your appearance. The main types of forehead lifting are as follows:, Endoscopic Forehead Lift; Pretrichial Eyebrow/ Forehead; and The “Gull Wing” or Direct Brow Lift.
The tear film on the surface of the eye is a critical component of maintaining vision. Tears nourish and lubricate the surface of the eye as well as wash away debris. A smooth, balanced tear film (consisting of water, oil and mucus) also allows light to enter the eye in an optimal fashion. If there is a disturbance of the tear film, patients will often experience tearing, burning, irritation and most importantly blurred vision. Patients who experience tearing either have a problem with tear production or tear drainage.
For more information on dry eyes, tearing, or Congenital Lacrimal Obstruction, please vist the ASOPRS website.
The orbit is the boney socket in your skull that contains and houses the eye and all the associated structures that support the function of the eye like muscles, nerves and blood vessels. The eye and these other structures are surrounded by fat which acts as cushion to protect the eye as we run around or if we inadvertently get hit in the eye. Unfortunately, a variety of problems can occur in the eye socket that effect the function of the eye.
These processes range from inflammatory disease like thyroid associated orbitopathy as seen in patients with Graves' disease to tumors, infections, and injuries from trauma. When these problems occur, patients often have double vision, loss of vision, pain and swelling. Evaluation with a trained specialist is important to appropriately evaluate and treat the underlying problem.
For more information on Thyroid Disease, Tumors, Trauma, please vist the ASOPRS website.
Children are wonderful joys in our lives and have a unique perspective of the world.ÊUnfortunately, they are not immune from medical disease and therefore often need expert care. Specifically, children can be burdened with problems of the eyelid, tear drain system and eye socket such as a traumatic injury, a tumor or congenital birth defect.
For more information excessive juvenile tearing, eyelid abnormalities, or orbital disease please vist the ASOPRS website.
There is nothing more important than being happy and feeling good about yourself. As people begin to age, sagging around the eyes, heaviness of the face, wrinkles, sun damage and other telltale signs of the aging process begin to show up. Some people tend to accept these changes while others are motivated to prevent them or even improve upon them. There is an ever-growing armamentarium of tools to help patients seek the improvements they desire.
For more information on Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin please vist the Interface Group website.
The skin is often the most overlooked structure that can be treated to improve the appearance of the aging face. At home, the use of sun screen, alpha hydroxy acids and Retin-A will improve and protect the skin. Botox injections are one of the most cost effective and popular cosmetic treatments used to reduce lines and wrinkles around your eyes and forehead. Filler injections like Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse, Juvederm, and Sculptra can be used to three dimensionally sculpt the face and restore volume. Chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and similar treatments are geared towards undoing the effects of sun damage and the aging process on your skin. And most aggressive, yet effective, is surgery to lift the sagging soft tissue of the face, cheeks, brows and eyes and reposition them to achieve a more youthful, rested, and above all, natural appearance.
For more information on Laser Treatments, Chemical Peels, Home Skin Care Regimens, or Fillers please vist the Interface Group website.
Eyelid reconstruction may be undertaken in a variety of situations. Defects in the eyelid may arise form a variety of situations, but most commonly after trauma or tumor excision.
As ophthalmologists trained in plastic surgeon the Fellows of ASOPRS are the best surgeons for your eyelid needs.
Simple superficial defects in the eyelid may occur after minor trauma or removal of small growths. Many of these require nothing more than local wound care and will heal on their own in a week to 10 days.
In some instances, such as after traumatic injuries or removal of larger growths or skin cancers, larger defects may extend through the entire lid. Many of these can be sutured together directly, but many others may require more complex reconstructions. In many of these more complex cases, surgeon will need to use transfer of adjacent tissues (what we call "flaps"), or transfer of skin from other parts of the eyelid face or body (what we call "skin grafts") to complete the reconstruction.
The doctors at Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery are ASOPRS Fellows are all Board certified Ophthalmologists who are not only well trained and experienced in lid reconstruction, but are also trained and experienced in the function of the eyelids and eyeball and reestablishing the eyelid to it's normal state for it's primary role of protecting the eyeball.
Some of these more complex reconstructions may require more than one operation to complete (what we call "staged reconstruction").