Oculoplastics

Periocular Tumors

Peri ocular tumours are generally sun related skin cancers around the eyelid. They manifest as small lumps that if not treated can grow to a rather large size. Most skin cancers around the eye do not spread to other parts of the body, but they can be very destructive around the eye area.

Skin tumours generally need to be removed, and in the sensitive areas around the eyes, they need to be operated on expertly to achieve both removal of the growth and an excellent cosmetic outcome.

Most growths are removed under local anaesthetic with sedation as a day stay procedure. This is done to reduce stress and reconstruct the eyelid in a  sterile controlled environment. Particular attention is made to achieve cosmetic outcomes that are acceptable to the patient.

Recovery is quick, with the eyelid healing well in most cases. 

Occasionaly if the growth is very large a skin flap, or skin graft may be required. Care needs to be taken post operatively so that healing is optimised.

We always aim for a natural looking outcome, but most importantly tumour removal..

Eyelid Malposition

Inturning (entropian) and outturning (ectropian) eyelids are a common disorder as we grow older. The eyelid Malposition comes about as our tissues lose strength, lose elasticity and as tendons around the eye lengthen.

Eyelid position problems lead to watery eyes, red eyes, eye irritation, and the bloodhound look.

The only treatment for eyelid position problems is surgery.

Surgery is performed under local anaesthetic with sedation, as a day stay patient or in our minor operating theatre. Generally the eyelid is shortened and hitched back up to the bone on the edge of the orbit. This does give a tight appearance early on but settles over time. 

Overall the cosmetic outcome is excellent, but most importantly the eyelid returns to its normal function.

Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is the removal of redundant skin folds in the upper eyelid. These folds are a natural occurrance as we age and lose elasticity of the skin. The folds can become rather large and in some instances obstruct the vision. They can also become unsightly and give a heavy sensation around the eyes.

Removal of the folds is relatively straightforward but needs to be done well to achieve ideal cosmetic outcomes.

Surgery is performed under local anaesthetic with sedation. The redundant skin fold is marked out carefully so that enough skin is taken but not too much. Often a little of the underlying muscle is removed and in some cases fat that has bulged forward. The defect is then repaired.

At first the eye can be a little swollen, but this settles over the next few weeks, with the final outcome determined at about 6 weeks.

Most patients do really well, with the aim of an excellent but natural cosmetic and functional outcome.