Cosmetic Eye Surgery

Cosmetic eye surgery, also known as Oculoplastic refers to corrective treatment for conditions of the inner or outer eye. Conditions such as watering eyes, protruding brows, hooded eyelids, ectropion or entropion of the eyelid, thyroid eye disease and peri-ocular skin diseases can be distressing as well as inconvenient, and can have a negative effect on our self-confidence. Fortunately, all of these conditions can be treated with Oculoplastic surgery.

Treatment

Our consultant Oculoplastic surgeons are among the most experienced in the world. All of them have treated an extremely wide range of conditions of the outer and inner eye, and will be able to advise you on the most effective procedure for your condition. Oculoplastic treatments at Gumber Eye Hospital are generally performed as outpatient procedures under local anaesthetic, with patients returning home the same day.

Watering eye

Watering eye is a condition that can be caused by conjunctivitis, foreign bodies in the eye, or when the eye's drainage channel becomes blocked. If the watering eye is caused by a channel blockage, the obstruction is removed with a type of surgery called dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Performed under general anaesthetic, DCR surgery involves creating a new tear duct to allow water to drain away fully.

Hooded eyelids (eyelid ptosis)

Eyelid ptosis occurs when the upper eyelid begins to droop and cover part of the pupil, which for many sufferers can mean tilting the head back or lifting the eyelid with a finger in order to see clearly. This condition can be cured by shortening the muscle used to raise the lid and then tightening up the corresponding skin crease.

Ectropion of the eyelid

Eyelid ectropion refers to a sagging and outward turning of the lower eyelid. This can occur through trauma to the eye, previous eye surgery, or as a natural part of ageing. Corrective surgery involves shortening and tightening the eyelid to return it to its natural position, using just a few small stitches at the corners of the eye. These are removed within 7 to 14 days.

Entropion of the eyelid

Eyelid entropion occurs when the eyelid begins to turn inwards. Again, entropion can be caused through trauma, previous eye surgery or as a natural part of ageing, but can also be caused by allergic reactions or certain illnesses. The condition can be cured effectively by tightening up the eyelid and its muscle, which gently returns it to its natural position.

Thyroid eye disease

Thyroid eye disease, or orbitopathy, occurs when the body's immune system stimulates the enlargement of the muscles that move the eye. This can result in bulging eyes, retracted eyelids, double vision, decreased vision and ocular irritation. Mild cases can usually be treated with artificial tears and lubricating ointment, but for more severe cases, your Optegra surgeon will choose from a range of procedures that correct the position and functioning of the eyelid, eye muscle or surrounding area.

Eye lid and peri-ocular skin cancers

Eyelid skin cancers can occur anywhere on the margins of the eyelid, corner of the eye, eyebrow, or adjacent areas of the face, and typically appear as lumps, depressions, patches of redness, scaliness, or discolouration. The most common form of eyelid cancer - basal cell carcinoma, or BCC - tends to remain localised, making it highly treatable. Optegra offers a range of solutions for eyelid and peri-ocular skin cancers. These usually involve an initial procedure to remove the cancer itself, which may be followed by a further treatment to reconstruct the affected region and blend it in with the surrounding area.

Post-treatment care

After your treatment you will be taken through to our comfortable recovery room, where we will ensure you spend some time resting before returning home. Your surgeon will advise you to rest for a few hours more once you are back at home, and to get a good night's sleep: this will help you to feel better more quickly, and should speed up your recovery. For most of our procedures, we will ask you to return to our hospital for a check-up within a few days. Your surgeon will assess your progress and will make sure that you are recovering well, and will be happy to answer any questions regarding your continuing recovery at this stage.