While the primary focus of our practice at Northeastern Eye Institute involves caring for your vision and your overall eye health, we also offer oculoplastics services. This is a specialized field of ophthalmology that addresses issues associated with the eyelids and the structures surrounding the eye.
Some oculoplastic services are cosmetic in nature, helping you restore a youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Others are medical in nature, addressing functional issues with the structures of your eye.
What Is the Difference between an Oculoplastic Surgeon and a Plastic Surgeon?
While many of the services provided by oculoplastic surgeons are also performed by plastic surgeons, there are significant differences in the training associated with these two specialties. As a result, it can be very beneficial to work with an oculoplastic surgeon when seeking these treatments.
Oculoplastic surgeons must complete a residency in ophthalmology. This training provides a highly detailed, robust background on the structures of the eyelids, eye and surrounding facial region. A substantial part of this training focuses on eye surgery, which ensures oculoplastic surgeons have an intimate knowledge of the delicate structures that make up the human eye. After this residency, oculoplastic surgeons must complete a fellowship which focuses on the cosmetic aspects of eyelid and facial plastic surgery.
Plastic surgeons begin their specialized training with a general surgery residency, which provides a broad surgical background covering just about every area of the body. This is then followed by a plastic surgery residency, which focuses on the cosmetic aspects of the surgical process.
The primary difference in these backgrounds involves the level of specialization regarding the eye. While plastic surgeons are highly trained and can deliver excellent results with cosmetic procedures involving the eye, their background is much broader. Oculoplastic surgeons, on the other hand, have focused their entire training on the structures associated with the eye. This gives them a more sophisticated understanding of the nuances associated with performing surgery on the eye.
What Cosmetic Procedures Are Performed by Oculoplastic Surgeons?
The most common cosmetic procedure performed by oculoplastic surgeons is eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). This procedure addresses the signs of aging impacting the eyes in order to restore a more youthful appearance. Eyelid surgery can address:
- Droopy eyelids
- Sagging or wrinkling in the eyelid skin
- Puffy fat deposits in the lower eyelid
- Hollows underneath the eyes
- Lost upper eyelid crease
- Excess skin in the eyelid which interferes with your visual field
In addition to eyelid surgery, our oculoplastic surgeons offer the following aesthetic procedures:
- Brow lift
- Excision of lesions around the eyes and face
- BOTOX® Cosmetic to address crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles
- Restylane
- Chemical peels
What Medical Procedures Are Performed by Oculoplastic Surgeons?
In addition to facial rejuvenation services, oculoplastic surgeons also address a wide range of medical issues impacting the eye. These include:
- Excision or biopsy of tumors around the eyelid and orbit
- Surgery of the tear drainage system
- Reconstructive surgery around the eye
- Fractures of the bones in the eye region
- Treatment of thyroid-related orbitopathy
- Repair of eyelid entropion and ectropion, a condition which causes the eyelid to roll into or out of the eye
Contact our Northeastern Pennsylvania Oculoplastic Surgeons
Please contact Northeastern Eye Institute using the form on this page or call 855-204-6888 today to schedule a consultation with one of our oculoplastic surgeons. We have 15 offices conveniently located in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.