Oculoplastics, or oculoplastic surgery, includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face.[1] It also deals with the reconstruction of the eye and associated structures.[2]
Training
An oculoplastic surgeon is a specialized ophthalmologist who has completed one or two years of additional fellowship training following ophthalmology residency. Members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS) are the most highly qualified oculoplastic surgeons in North America. To qualify, a member must have passed both the American Board of Ophthalmology[3] certification exams, as well as written and oral board examinations through ASOPRS. A candidate must also have made a significant contribution to the field of oculoplastics, which may take the form of a peer-reviewed publication. Such other surgeons as plastic surgeons, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons may be trained in oculoplastic procedures as well. The total additional training time for an ASOPRS Oculoplastic surgeon is 2 years after a 4-year Ophthalmology residency.[citation needed]
The most highly qualified oculoplastic surgeons in the United Kingdom are members of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society.[4] In the UK oculoplastic surgeons will have generally undertaken 8–9 years of training, including 1–2 years of fellowship in addition to 7 years of registrar work (which typically includes 12–18 months of oculoplastic surgery training).[citation needed]
Oculoplastic procedures
Oculoplastic surgeons perform procedures such as the repair of droopy eyelids (blepharoplasty), repair of tear duct obstructions, orbital fracture repairs, removal of tumors in and around the eyes, eyelid and facial reconstruction.[citation needed]
Eyelid surgery
An oculoplastic surgeon performing revisional eyelid surgery.
An enucleation is the removal of the eye leaving the eye muscles and remaining orbital contents intact.[12]
An evisceration is the removal of the eye's contents, leaving the scleral shell intact. Usually performed to reduce pain in a blind eye.[13]
An exenteration is the removal of the entire orbital contents, including the eye, extraocular muscles, fat, and connective tissues; usually for malignant orbital tumors.[14]
^ abcdefghijklCline D; Hofstetter HW; Griffin JR. Dictionary of Visual Science. 4th ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston 1997. ISBN0-7506-9895-0
^Marcet MM, Kuk AK, Phelps PO (2014). "Evidence-based review of surgical practices in endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy for primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and other new indications". Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 25 (5): 443–8. doi:10.1097/ICU.0000000000000084. PMID24979582. S2CID157776.
^Cherkunov BF, Lapshina AV (1976). "Canaliculodacryocystostomy in obstruction of medial end of the lacrimal duct". Oftalmol Zh. 31 (7): 544–8. PMID1012635.
