Ophthalmic Plastic and Orbital Surgery

Specialities Highlights

What is Ophthalmic (eye) plastics or Oculoplastics?

Ophthalmic plastic surgery involves both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery around the eyes. This includes the eyelids, eyebrows, bony structure around the eye (orbit), and tear duct (lacrimal) system. An ophthalmic plastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist who has completed extensive post-residency training in this unique subspecialty.

Our team specializes in plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, eyebrows, orbit, and tear system. Dr. Lin is a board certified ophthalmologist who completed both her medical and residency training at Harvard Medical School. This was followed by the Bernice Z. Brown fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic, Orbital, and Reconstructive Surgery at Doheny Eye Institute in Los Angeles.

What type of surgeries does an ophthalmic plastic surgeon routinely perform?

Eyelid

Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty ("eye lift") – removing excess eyelid skin and/or fat
Repair of drooping eyelid (ptosis)
Reconstruction after removal of skin cancers around the eyes (e.g. basal cell, melanoma, squamous cell)
Eyelid malposition repair (ectropion, entropion, facial nerve palsy, trauma)

Face

Brow lifts – Endoscopic and Direct
Skin resurfacing of eyelid skin using the carbon dioxide LASER
Injections with BOTOX for facial wrinkles

Orbit (bony area surrounding the eye)

Surgeries for Grave's (thyroid) eye disease
Evaluation and repair of orbital fractures
Evaluation, management, and removal of orbital tumors

Lacrimal (Tear duct system)

Evaluation and repair of abnormal tear duct system
Tear duct repair after trauma

What is Blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty reduces excess skin and fat in the upper eyelids. This excess skin can hang over the eyelid and interfere with vision. It can also make you look tired and older. Incisions are hidden in the natural contours and lines in the upper eyelids. Excess skin and fat are then removed and the incisions are closed with fine sutures.

Lower blepharoplasty reduces the excess fat or bags in the lower eyelids. The surgeon makes an incision in the inside (transconjuctival approach) or on the outside of the lower eyelids. The excess fat, and sometimes, skin are removed. Incisions made on the inside of the eyelids are not visible. The incisions made on the outside of the lower eyelids are barely visible and fade over time.

Although blepharoplasty is performed by a variety of practioners, an ophthalmologist is best trained to look after your eyes before, during, and after the procedure.