Orbit and oculoplasty deal with plastic and reconstructive surgery around the eyeball. But why does one’s eye need plastic surgery? Well, ophthalmic plastic surgery needs to be performed to improve eye’s function, fixing eye-related medical conditions and one’s appearance.
As one of the leading eye hospitals in West Bengal, we share 8 things that patients should know about orbit and oculoplasty:
Common conditions that need oculoplasty: An oculoplastic procedure is a type of surgery done around the eyes. Those suffering from conditions like
- droopy upper eyelids
- inward or outward eyelids
- eye problems caused by thyroid disease
- skin cancers or other growths in or around the eyes and injuries to the eye
can benefit from oculoplastic procedures. Those who have lost an eye can also get oculoplasty done. An ocularist will make a customised artificial eye shell to restore the face’s normal appearance.
Types of surgeries: There are different types of oculoplastic procedures meant to correct different medical situations and cosmetic problems. Here are some of the commonly performed oculoplastic procedures:
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): As people age, the shape of the eyelids often sag. Genetics and sun exposure are some of the factors that contribute to this process. Blepharoplasty is done to give the eyelids more youthful appearance by getting rid of the excess skin.
- Ptosis repair: Often when the upper eyelids drop, they partially obstruct the vision. A ptosis surgical procedure is done to elevate the upper eyelid so that the field of vision has no obstruction.
- Orbital surgery: It addresses different types of complications in the eye socket.
Who performs the surgery? Oculoplastic procedures are performed by ophthalmologists having specialisation in plastic or reconstructive surgery.
What do oculoplastic procedures entail? The procedure varies depending upon the medical condition that is being corrected.
Preparing for the surgery: You can take the following steps to prepare for your surgery:
- See your eye surgeon as well as physician so that you have standard preoperative clearance. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you should see a specialist and get a clearance.
- Avoid certain medications: If you are on medication, inform your eye surgeon. You will be instructed whether you should avoid taking certain medications, https://livingwellnessmedicalcenter.com/klonopin-clonazepam/.
- Make arrangements for someone to pick you up the day of your surgery and stay with you to help you get settled.
Recovery time after oculoplastic surgery: The recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed and can vary for one person to another. Most oculoplastic surgeries are free of complications.
Post-operative care: Post-operative care depends on the type of oculoplastic procedure done. The eye surgeon will give a list of dos and don’ts to follow at home. You will be asked to be careful when bathing for at least a week after surgery. You will be provided with instructions regarding cleaning the area around the incision. You will have to avoid activities like exercising or lifting heavy objects for about 1-2 weeks.
When to see the eye doctor after surgery: Most likely, your eye surgeon will call you for a follow-up visit within 7 days after your surgery. However, if your pain is not going away despite taking pain killers or if you notice signs of infection (swelling, pus coming out of incision), you must see your eye doctor without any delay.
At Disha Eye Hospitals, the department of orbit and oculoplasty is well-equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. Our team of doctors include some of the best and highly-experienced eye surgeons in Kolkata.