Eyelid Reconstruction
Eyelid reconstructive surgery repair issues including:
- Drooping upper eyelid
- Thyroid eye disease
- Eyelid skin cancer
- Eyelid
- Eyelid twitches/spasms
Evaluation
In consultation, Dr. Conlon will examine your eyes to determine your personalized treatment plan.
Eyelid Reconstruction FAQ
Q: What is eyelid reconstruction?
A: to the rearrangement of eyelid tissue to treat a number of eyelid related (drooping upper eyelid), thyroid eye disease, eyelid skin cancer, eyelid malposition (out-turning/in-turning of the eyelid) and eyelid (twitches or spasms)
Q: What is ptosis?
A: Ptosis, the medical term for drooping upper eyelid, which can result from aging, trauma, and muscular/neurological conditions.
Q: What is thyroid eye disease?
A: Thyroid Eye Disease refers to eye/eye area issues associated with thyroid diseases. These issues cause “bulging” eyes, resulting from the following symptoms:
- Swelling (edema)
- Eye protrusion
- Eyelid retraction
- Double vision (caused by hypertrophied contracted eye muscles)
- Excessive orbital fat
Symptomatic treatment includes eye drops and steroids, but such treatment is ineffective for one-third of sufferers. These cases may necessitate a series of eyelid/orbital procedures. Patience through a series of procedures may be necessary, as thyroid eye disease treatment is complex.
Q: What is ectropion?
A: Ectropion is an eyelid malposition where the lower eyelid turns outward, often causing eye irritation and tearing. Secondary changes include lid margin thickening, inflammation, mucus production, and inner aspect eyelid roughness.
Most commonly, aging causes a laxity of the eyelid tissues, thus allowing the eyelid to hang away from the eye. Other causes of the condition include Bell’s Palsy, eczema, psoriasis, and congenital malformations.
Surgical correction tightens the lower lid. Complex cases may require a skin graft.
Q: What is entropion?
A: Entropion is an eyelid malposition where the eyelid rolls inward, resulting in irritation. Although related to aging eyelids, it is caused by muscle spasm, inflammation, or conjunctiva scarring.
Treatment requires eyelid laxity surgical correction, attaching the lower eyelid If present, a mucous membrane graft may be needed to correct inner scarring. BOTOX® administration provides pain relief and facilitates surgical repair.
Q: What is blepharospasm?
A: Blepharospasm is a bilateral condition characterized by abnormal eyelid muscle contractions. BOTOX® injections provide spasm relief, although there is no cure for the condition.
Q: What is hemifacial spasm?
A: Hemifacial spasms are the uncontrolled contraction of the muscles on one side of the face, caused by irritation of the facial nerve. In less than one percent of sufferers, a tumor is the cause of the nerve irritation, thus all sufferers must undergo imaging.
Hemifacial spasms are treated with BOTOX® injections to the and upper cheek muscles. Surgical options are offered in carefully selected should be conducted at a center specializing in the procedure.
Q: What is eyelid skin cancer?
A: Eyelid skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells on or around the eyelid area. Skin cancers that occur around the eyelids are generally treatable, usually through surgical excision. Following removal, reconstructive techniques are used to repair the eyelid, and CO2 laser is used to correct irregularities.