Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Oculoplastics is a highly specialised field of medicine. As a subspecialty of ophthalmology, oculoplastic procedures include the medical and surgical treatment of various eye abnormalities.

What are oculoplastic procedures?

Oculoplastic procedures are non-surgical and surgical procedures around the eyes, including the tear ducts, eyelids, and orbits (bony sockets). These procedures can also involve the cheeks, eyebrows, and forehead.

Another term for oculoplastic surgery is ophthalmic plastic surgery. We may perform one of these procedures for cosmetic reasons or to fix medical problems, such as cysts and tumours on the eyelids, thyroid eye disease, and orbital conditions.

Only a trained ophthalmologist should perform these types of procedures on your eyes. At Oculase, Mr Daniele Lorenzano is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon specialising in non-surgical and surgical cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery.

Which conditions can we treat?

We might perform an oculoplastic procedure for many reasons, from correcting eye bags or hooded eyelids to repairing problems with the tear ducts.

Conditions we treat at Oculase include:

Ectropion (the eyelid sags or turns outward)
Entropion (the eyelid turns inward)
Functional essential blepharospasm
Ptosis (droopy upper eyelid)
Thyroid eye disease
Blocked tear ducts
Facial nerve palsy

We can also correct:

Wrinkles and fine lines, such as crow’s feet and frown or laugh lines
Contour deficits and indented scars
Dark circles under the eyes
Hollowness in the face
Watery eyes

Types of oculoplastic procedures

Our private clinic offers a range of oculoplastic procedures to treat the above issues, such as blepharoplasty, lid laxity surgery, or ptosis surgery to address problems with your eyelids and watery eyes surgery to mend a faulty tear duct. Below we share what each of these entails.

Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers are non-surgical cosmetic procedures for wrinkles and lines in the face and neck. You may also want fillers for a fuller-looking face. We use an injection to administer these treatments, and you might experience temporary redness or bruising after.

The effects of these procedures are short-term. Botox typically lasts around 3-4 months, while fillers often last 6-18 months. However, you can have follow-up treatments, typically once the first treatment dissolves.

You may have blepharoplasty to manage functional or cosmetic issues, such as puffiness, bags around the eyelids, or limited peripheral vision due to droopy eyelids or sagging. It is a surgical procedure that involves tightening your upper or lower lids. It may take between 1 and 2 hours, depending on which lid we’re treating.

After the procedure, your eyes may swell or feel a little uncomfortable for a week or so, but this is normal. You can contact our clinic if you have questions about what to expect. Results often last around 7 to 10 years, but you may never need a repeat procedure.

Ectropion and entropion are common concerns caused by ageing. These are the outward and inward turning of the eyelids and can cause redness, watering, and dry eyes. We use lid laxity surgery to reverse these conditions before they cause complications like a corneal ulcer.

Side effects can include swelling or bruising for up to two weeks. The procedure may take around 45 minutes, and the effects are permanent in most people. If you start to experience symptoms again, speak to our specialist.

Ptosis is a condition that causes upper eyelid drooping in one or both eyes. In mild cases, you may feel self-conscious about how it looks. In severe cases, it can lead to eyestrain, vision difficulties, and problems keeping your eyes open.

Ptosis surgery involves an internal or external repair of the eyelids, taking 45 minutes for each eye. The effects of this treatment are usually permanent, as ptosis rarely returns. If ptosis reoccurs, we can perform a second procedure to correct it.

We offer two types of watery eyes surgery at Oculase: punctoplasty and dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Punctoplasty addresses narrowed or blocked tear duct openings, while DCR surgery fixes blocked tear ducts (drainage pipes) and inflamed tear sacs. All these issues can cause watery eyes or epiphora.

Surgery to correct watery eyes can take between 30 minutes to an hour. With DCR surgery, you’ll need to return a few months later so we can finish the procedure. Both are safe and effective procedures with high success rates. You may experience mild discomfort, bruising, or swelling for a few days.

Eyelid cysts and tumours, whether benign or malignant (cancerous), can be cosmetically unappealing and sometimes sight-threatening. We can remove simple cysts, such as chalazion, under local anaesthesia and send larger cysts or tumours to a lab for a biopsy to aid our diagnosis and further treatment.

Cyst or tumour removal can involve making a tiny cut, which often doesn’t leave a scar. The whole process should take less than 20 minutes. Cysts can recur after treatment, but our specialist will discuss the best approach for you, depending on your circumstances. We may refer you to an oncologist (cancer specialist) for further tests and treatment if you have a malignant cyst or tumour.

Before your procedure

Before we can perform certain procedures, we may ask you to temporarily stop taking blood thinners and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Your GP can offer advice on whether you are suitable for an oculoplastic procedure given your general health.

You may need to arrange a lift home after your procedure. If you can, avoid smoking or using tobacco for 2-3 weeks before and after your procedure.

Recovery

Depending on which procedure you have, you may need to take some time off work. You can usually go home the same day but should rest your eyes for a few days after surgery. If you experience sore or sensitive eyes, you may benefit from holding a cold compress over your eyes.

You can avoid swelling by sleeping with a raised head for the first week after. During this time, you should also avoid alcohol and bathe carefully. Our specialist will provide tailored instructions for you to follow before and after your procedure to ensure it is a success.

Book an appointment

One of our specialists will perform a health assessment and a complete inspection of your eyelid and eye. We will then discuss the risks and benefits of your procedure in detail during your consultation to help you make an informed decision.

Contact us today to book an appointment or learn more about one of our oculoplastic and reconstructive procedures.

0330 128 1616

Our clinic sites are regulated by
The Care Quality Commission (CQC)

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FAQs

Eyelid surgery risks include:

Bruising
Scarring
Asymmetry
Wound dehiscence
Overcorrection/undercorrection
Visual impairment (very rare)

Some of these risks can vary depending on the type of surgery and your personal circumstances.

Eyelid surgeries are generally pain free. Most surgeries are done under local anaesthetic. However there is the option of having sedation or general anesthesia if required/preferred.

Most eyelid surgeries are undertaken as a day-case procedure. You will be free to go home soon after surgery.

“Although my eyelid was previously partially repaired I was still in discomfort until I was seen by Mr. Ayoub. He described exactly what he was going to do and then repaired my eyelid so that I was in no discomfort. It is through Mr. Ayoub’s expertise and professionalism that my eyelid is now back to what it was and my gratitude goes out to him.”