What is oculofacial plastic surgery?

Oculofacial plastic surgery is a medical speciality that focuses on surgery to the eyelids, brow, nose and tear duct system to treat disease, remove tumours, and restore the cosmetic appearance of the face.

There are very few oculofacial plastic surgeons in the world, concentrated in only a handful of clinics. Surgeons generally undergo specialist fellowship training learning specific surgical techniques to treat the delicate tissue around the eye.

What kinds of conditions do oculofacial plastic surgeons treat?

Oculofacial plastic surgeons treat a wide range of conditions affecting the eyes and surrounding tissue, including:

• benign and malignant orbital tumours
• thyroid eye disease
• blepharospasm (eye twitching)
• trauma to the face
• chalazion
• stye
• watery eyes

This may include the treatment of the condition itself and reconstruction of the face after surgical treatment.

Oculofacial plastic surgeon can also carry out a range of procedures to improve the cosmetic appearance of the face and tackle the signs of ageing, focusing in particular on:

• wrinkles around the eyes
• bags under the eyes
• red or brown spots
• ageing skin
• sagging eyelids
• droopy eyebrows
• droopy eyelids
• unwanted fat

What kinds of procedures do oculofacial plastic surgeons carry out?

If you have a condition that is affecting the tissue around the eyes, the clinic may first perform some diagnostic procedures including tear production testing, ultrasound, visual field testing, and endoscopy. They may also refer you to a radiologist to carry out imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI. Problems affecting the tissue around the eyes can be complex, so making a diagnosis may involve a range of specialists including ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, and oncologists.

When treating a condition or cosmetic issue, oculofacial plastic surgeons employ a number of surgical and non-surgical techniques, including:

• Mohs surgery
• artificial tears
• laser resurfacing
• Botox™ injections
• radiofrequency skin tightening
• photodynamic therapy
• laser liposuction
• implants
• eyelid “borrowing” procedures
• skin grafting

The precise treatment plan will depend on what condition you have. If you are treating a cosmetic issue, treatment might be combined with other kinds of plastic surgery to tackle other signs of facial ageing.