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Oculoplastic Surgery
Your eyes do more than help you see the world: they are also an essential part of the way the world sees you. The world-class oculoplastic specialist at COA is extensively trained to perform both reconstructive and cosmetic surgical procedures to the eyes and surrounding areas, preserving our patients’ ocular health as well as helping them achieve a more youthful, refreshed appearance.
What is an Oculoplastic Surgeon?
At COA, we are proud to have an oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Brandon Cho, as part of our elite team. Oculoplastic surgery is a highly-specialized area of ophthalmology, combining the precision and technical skill of an eye surgeon with the artistic finesse of a plastic surgeon. After completing education and residency training in ophthalmology, these doctors go on to train in highly competitive fellowships focused on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the orbit and the delicate areas that surround it. Following this intensive education, oculoplastic surgeons must prove a high standard of both skill and knowledge in order to achieve dual board certification by both the American Board of Ophthalmology and the American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
A variety of factors, including age, sun exposure, weight gain, genetics and smoking, can contribute to the weakening of the tissues and muscles that support the eyelids. For many people, this can impact the delicate eyelid area cosmetically and even functionally, causing:
- Droopy, sagging, or loose skin of the upper eyelids
- Puffiness caused by fatty deposits
- Under-eye bags
- Lower eyelids that droop, showing the white of the eye under the iris
- Fine lines, wrinkles, and droopy excess skin under the eyes
At COA, we have the experience and technical skill necessary to perform blepharoplasty to tighten and firm the delicate eyelid area, leaving patients looking naturally more youthful and refreshed.
Upper Lid Blepharoplasty
When performing upper lid blepharoplasty, our surgeons begin by making an incision within the eyelid’s crease so that scars will be naturally hidden. They then tighten the underlying muscles, remove excess skin, and smooth fat deposits.
Lower Lid Blepharoplasty
The incision for lower lid blepharoplasty is made below the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid. Next, the surgeon redistributes or removes excess fat and tightens and trims excess skin.
Ptosis Repair
In patients who have excessively droopy upper eyelids, known as ptosis, our surgeons can remove excess skin and also address muscle or nerve problems that may be the cause of ptosis. When a patient’s sight or eye function is impacted by ptosis, oculoplastic surgery is considered medically necessary and may be covered by insurance.
Brow Lift
A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, can restore a more youthful appearance to the upper portion of the face. After making an incision that is well-hidden within the hairline, the surgeon lifts and removes excess forehead skin and adjusts the muscle and tissue that contribute to:
- Horizontal forehead wrinkles
- Wrinkles between the eyes, including frown lines
- Hooded or saggy upper eyelids
- Low, saggy eyebrows
For more thorough facial rejuvenation, patients often choose to combine a brow lift with upper and/or lower blepharoplasty.1
Orbital Tumors
Tumors that grow within the eye socket, known as orbital tumors, can be either benign or malignant. Even when noncancerous, orbital tumors can impact both the appearance and the function of the eyes. Our oculoplastic surgeons can often treat orbital tumors with outpatient surgery and coordinate with other surgical specialists when additional treatment is necessary.
Tear Duct Surgery
When a patient’s tear duct drainage system does not function properly, it can lead to excessive watering or tearing. Our surgeons can perform a tear duct bypass procedure known as dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), redirecting tear drainage between the eyes and the nose.
Mohs Surgery
For patients diagnosed with basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer near the eyes, an experienced oculoplastic surgeon can perform Mohs surgery to remove cancerous cells from this very delicate area. The experts at COA can also perform reconstructive surgery following the removal of skin cancer around the eyes.2
Eyelid Malposition
Abnormal positioning of the eyelids is more than a cosmetic issue: this can impact tear production and drainage as well as overall eye health. The oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeons at our practice can repair both entropion (when the eyelid turns in) and ectropion (when the eyelid turns out) to restore normal appearance and function to the eyelids.
Thyroid Eye Disease
Graves’ disease, often referred to as thyroid eye disease, causes overproduction of thyroid hormones. In roughly 30% of patients with thyroid eye disease, ophthalmological symptoms such as bulging eyes, dry eyes, inflamed or retracted eyelids, double vision, and eye pain are present. An experienced ophthalmologist from our practice can treat both cosmetic and functional issues caused by thyroid eye disease.3
Contact Columbus Ophthalmology Associates
The highly experienced oculoplastic and reconstructive team at Columbus Ophthalmology Associates are uniquely well-qualified to address both cosmetic and functional issues surrounding the delicate eye area. If you have concerns about the appearance or function of your eyes, you can feel confident that our surgeons possess the skill and technique necessary to achieve superior results. For more information or to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists, please contact COA.
1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Brow Lift. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/brow-lift. Accessed March 11, 2021.
2 American Academy of Ophthalmology. What is Mohs Surgery? Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/mohs-surgery/. Accessed March 11, 2021.
3 Mayo Clinic. Graves’ disease. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graves-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20356240#:~:text=Graves’%20disease%20is%20an%20immune,disease%20can%20be%20wide%20ranging. Accessed March 11, 2021.
