The goal of functional or reconstructive eyelid surgery is to improve function, correct deformities and defects, remove tumors, and generally restore normalcy to the eyelid. Reconstructive eyelid surgery is considered medically necessary, though eyelid surgery can also be performed for cosmetic purposes.
There are several different conditions that can be treated thorough reconstructive eyelid surgery. Physical trauma to the eye area may require reconstructive eyelid surgery to restore normal functioning to the eyelids. Other conditions which might benefit from reconstructive eyelid surgery are congenital or genetic traits or those that develop during the course of aging. There are four major health conditions that reconstructive eyelid surgery is used to treat.
Reconstructive eyelid surgery can repair:
1. Entropion - a condition whereby the eyelid turns inward, causing the eyelashes to irritate and scrape the eyeball. Entropion is caused by the natural aging process, trauma, and some inflammatory conditions.
2. Ectropion actually causes the eyelid to pull away from the eyeball, exposing the inner pink lining of the eyelid. This condition can also cause health problems such as irritation, redness, tearing and infections. The main causes of ectropion include: aging, sun damage, burns, tumors, and excessive skin removal during cosmetic eyelid surgery.
3. Ptosis is a condition whereby the natural position of the eyelid is droopy and limits a person's field of vision. This condition commonly afflicts patients as they age, but can be congenital and present at birth. With age, the muscle that elevates the eyelid (the levator muscle), can stretch or become disinserted. This results in a lid margin which covers the pupil.
4. Eyelid skin cancers, such a basal cell carcinoma, are another condition that can be remedied through reconstructive eyelid surgery. Complete surgical excision and same day reconstruction are generally performed on an outpatient basis..
Dr. Onofrey is skilled and experienced in the latest procedures for all these conditions and will select the procedure that best suits the condition. Her emphasis is always on protecting the vision and health of the eyes while maximizing function and aesthetics.
There are several different conditions that can be treated thorough reconstructive eyelid surgery. Physical trauma to the eye area may require reconstructive eyelid surgery to restore normal functioning to the eyelids. Other conditions which might benefit from reconstructive eyelid surgery are congenital or genetic traits or those that develop during the course of aging. There are four major health conditions that reconstructive eyelid surgery is used to treat.
Reconstructive eyelid surgery can repair:
1. Entropion - a condition whereby the eyelid turns inward, causing the eyelashes to irritate and scrape the eyeball. Entropion is caused by the natural aging process, trauma, and some inflammatory conditions.
2. Ectropion actually causes the eyelid to pull away from the eyeball, exposing the inner pink lining of the eyelid. This condition can also cause health problems such as irritation, redness, tearing and infections. The main causes of ectropion include: aging, sun damage, burns, tumors, and excessive skin removal during cosmetic eyelid surgery.
3. Ptosis is a condition whereby the natural position of the eyelid is droopy and limits a person's field of vision. This condition commonly afflicts patients as they age, but can be congenital and present at birth. With age, the muscle that elevates the eyelid (the levator muscle), can stretch or become disinserted. This results in a lid margin which covers the pupil.
4. Eyelid skin cancers, such a basal cell carcinoma, are another condition that can be remedied through reconstructive eyelid surgery. Complete surgical excision and same day reconstruction are generally performed on an outpatient basis..
Dr. Onofrey is skilled and experienced in the latest procedures for all these conditions and will select the procedure that best suits the condition. Her emphasis is always on protecting the vision and health of the eyes while maximizing function and aesthetics.