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Oculoplastic and Facial Reconstructive Surgery
(Including Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy, Thyroid Eye Disease, Tear Duct Surgery,
Orbital Surgery, Eye Tumors)
Facial
Palsy – Facial palsy is a weakness of facial muscles
caused by Bell’s Palsy, tumor, trauma, stroke, viral infection,
or an inflammatory process. This produces an asymmetry of the face
and decreased facial expression. Since the muscles of the eyelids
are paralyzed, one can not close his or her eyes. This results in
eye dryness, redness, tearing, and corneal abnormalities. Furthermore,
the side of the mouth drops making it difficult to speak and eat.
Facial palsy can be corrected surgically by suspending
the midface to support the weakened cheek and lower eyelid muscles.
A gold weight is often inserted into the upper eyelid to improve
eyelid closure. The mouth region can also be suspended to improve
the appearance and function of the face.
Thyroid
Eye Disease – Thyroid eye disease (a condition of
Graves’ disease or hyper-thyroidism) causes the eyes to bulge
forward and the eyelids to retract. This leads to double vision,
severe inflammation, discomfort, dry or watery eyes, corneal abrasions,
infections, and possibly loss of vision. Surgery for thyroid eye
disease involves expanding the bones of the eye socket to allow
the eye to fall back. Muscle surgery can then be performed to alleviate
double vision. Eyelid surgery is often the last stage of rehabilitation
whereby the eyelids are lowered, yielding a more natural, aesthetically
pleasing appearance and reducing the chance of future eye-related
complications.
Tear
Duct Surgery – Dry eye is a common condition affecting
over 40% of the population. The condition worsens with age and is
more common in post-menopausal women. Symptoms of dry eyes include
irritation, redness, pain and blurred vision. Often, these symptoms
can be relieved with over the counter tear replacement drops. When
severe, a procedure to place tiny plugs in the tear ducts can keep
the tears in the eyes longer, providing relief of symptoms. Watery
eyes on the other hand, are usually a sign of blocked tear ducts
resulting from infection, injury, or tumor. Tear duct surgery may
be performed to open or bypass the duct and allow the tears to drain
directly into the nose. Tear duct surgery can be performed through
a small incision in the corner of the eye or with endoscopic
surgery (with a tiny microscope) through the nose.
Orbital
Surgery – The Orbit (eye and surrounding bones)
can be adversely affected by tumor, and is one of the primary regions
affected by facial trauma. Orbital trauma resulting in fractures
of the bone surrounding the eye causes the eye to sink back into
its socket, facial deformity, poor eye movement, and loss of vision.
Orbital fractures can now be repaired with minimal incisions through
the inside of the eyelid or mouth. While orbital fractures cause
the eye to sink back, orbital tumors can cause the eye to protrude,
causing facial deformity, eye irritation, dryness, increased risk
of infection, and loss of vision. In severe cases of orbital trauma
or tumor, it is sometimes necessary to remove the eye completely.
If you are interested in learning more about oculoplastic
and facial reconstructive surgery, please feel free to contact
us for more information.
dr. hoenig
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