Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery

OPHTHALMIC PLASTIC SURGERY UNIT (EYE AESTHETICS)

Eyelids and surrounding tissues have critical importance for vision. Injuries, congenital losses, age-related changes, tumors affecting the valves and surrounding tissues and bones can cause pain, loss of vision and malformation.

Changes in the appearance of the eye can affect the adaptation of a person in social and work environments.

VARIOUS DISEASES AFFECTING EYELIDS

Ptosis: Low upper eyelid. Ptosis caused by a loose muscle in the upper eyelid differs only from sagging of the loose skin. In severe cases, it disrupts the vision in the upward sight. In some cases, it causes the eye to close while reading. Even though sometimes it is congenital, it usually develops with increased age. In surgery, while the loose muscle is corrected, excess skin and adipose tissue are also corrected.

Entropion: A medical condition in which the eyelid folds inward. Symptoms include stinging, watering, sensitivity to light, and pain since it causes the lashes to fold inward. If left untreated, it causes a wound in the cornea. In surgery, the shape of the valve is changed and the flaccidity of the valve is corrected.

Ectropion: A medical condition in which the eyelid folds outward. Irritation, sensitivity to light and lacrimation are the main symptoms as the eye is exposed to more external factors. The visible inner part of the eyelid turns red. Age-related relaxation is the most common cause. In surgery, the valve is returned to its normal position.

Eyelid swelling: These lesions, most of which are benign, usually develop as a result of overexposure to the sun. Since these lesions are malignant and may turn into cancer, biopsy should be performed for examination of these lesions and in some cases for definitive diagnosis. Suspicious and growing lesions are required to be surgically removed.

Dacryocystitis: An infection of the lacrimal ducts. There is usually a blockage in the lacrimal ducts. Its symptoms are tearing, a dark thickened drainage, adhesions in the eyelids in the mornings, painful and sensitive swelling between the eyes and nose. Even though active infection is improved with drug treatment, the blocked duct should be opened with surgery.

Blepharospasm: Uncontrollable contraction or twitch of the eyelid.  In general, it is not possible for a person to drive or even walk in this disorder with an unknown cause owing to the fact that he cannot keep the eyelids open. The symptoms are tried to be checked by using botox injection.

ORBITOPATHY DUE TO THYROID DISEASE

Although it may be related to all thyroid problems, it is often encountered in cases where the thyroid is overworked (hyperthyroid). Redness and swelling of the eyes, dry and uncomfortable eyes, double vision, decreased vision, withdrawal of the eyelids, eye progression can be observed.

Graves disease is a disease related to the immune system, a condition in which the body perceives its own tissues as stranger and destroys them. Inflammation, irritation, swelling and scarring of the eye muscles can occur when the eye is involved, which causes the above-mentioned symptoms. Double vision can be observed when looking certain directions; however, in advanced situations there is a fixed double vision.

Depending on the scarring of the eyelid muscles, the upper and lower eyelid withdrawal occurs and a typical sight is located in the thyroid. The white part in the upper and lower part of the coloured part of the eye becomes visible. This causes dryness, tearing and sensitivity to light in the eyes. Rarely, visual loss may develop due to corneal damage.

Depending on the fluid around and behind the eye, the eye may be pushed forward. These symptoms may improve themselves or may be required to be corrected surgically.

Visual loss can be caused by damage to the cornea or by the swelling eye muscles compressing the optic nerve. If any decrease in vision is realized, an ophthalmologist should be consulted immediately.