Oculoplastic surgery is the name given to surgery on the eyelids and the periocular area. Oculoplastic surgeons also do surgery to treat watery eyes where there is a blockage somewhere in the tear drainage system (dacryocytorhinostomy).
Some of the more common oculoplastic conditions are listed below:
- Ectropion
This is where the eyelid is excessively lax and can lead to it being turned out from its normal position against the eye. This can lead to ocular discomfort and watering from the eye and is much more common with age. - Entropion
This is where the eyelid is turned in from in its normal position against the eye. This can lead to the eyelashes rubbing against the ocular surface and causing ocular discomfort and watering. Eyelid laxity often contributes to the eyelid instability and is more common with age. - Ptosis
This is the name given to drooping of the eyelids and typically occurs with age. It can lead to obscuring of the visual axis and the need to manually lift the eyelids to see comfortably. This tends to be more prominent later in the evening and when one is tired. Occasionally it may be congenital in nature and may require early intervention to prevent a ‘lazy eye’ - Eyelid Tumours
The commonest tumours around the eyelid area tend to be basal cell carcinomas or occasionally squamous cell carcinomas. Like most skin cancers they are related to sunlight exposure. Treatment usually involves a two stage procedure. The first stage involves a margin controlled excision of the lesion. Once laboratory confirmation is attained that the margins are clear of tumour, the second stage involves the reconstruction of the defect. The complexity of the surgery largely depends on the extent and exact location of the surgical defect. While other skin cancers (such as melanomas) can occur, they are less frequently occurring in the periocular area. - Blockage of the Nasolacrimal Duct
The nasolacrimal duct drains our tears. These drain from the eyelid to the lacrimal sac (tear sac) and subsequently to the back of the nose. Where there is a blockage somewhere in the duct the eye becomes watery. Surgery can be performed to bypass the blockage and create a new drainage pathway. This is called a DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy) and can usually be done up the nose in a sutureless technique. It is typically done under general anaesthesia.
Steamboat Eye Clinic in Limerick specialise in Oculoplastic Surgery and if you would like to arrange an appointment, contact our Eye Clinic on 061 310379.