What is Oculoplastic Surgery?

Oculoplastic Surgery, also known as Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive, also known as 'Eye Plastic Surgery' is a surgical branch of Ophthalmology that deals with the medical and surgical management of diseases, deformities and abnormalities of the eyelids, lacrimal (tear) system, orbit (bony socket) and the adjacent facial structures. It also deals with plastic and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, eyebrows, the forehead, the cheek and the mid face.
Oculoplastic surgery also encompasses tumours or cancers of the eye, the eyelids and the bony socket.
Oculoplastic surgeons, typically are fellowship-trained. This means that after having completed a three-year residency in ophthalmology, they have to undergo a two-year specialized dedicated structured training program - this is called as a fellowship. This usually is a course that is offered at high-quality training institutes and hospitals. This focused training program makes them expert clinicians and surgeons at handling complex cases pertaining to the specialty of oculoplastics. By restricting their study and practice to only the eyes certain parts of the face, oculoplastic surgeons become experts in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the human face surrounding the eyes.
OPAI, as an organization is the representative body of the oculoplastic surgeons across the country. It is committed to promoting the cause of oculoplastic surgery and disseminating information and the latest scientific breakthroughs in the specialty.

An oculoplastic surgeon is a specialized ophthalmologist who has completed one or two years of additional fellowship training following ophthalmology residency.
Oculoplastic Surgery is plastic surgery but focused to the area around the eye. The eyelids and surrounding structures are complex and are fragile structures that are extremely important to maintaining vision. In addition, the eyes are the first thing that anyone notices on a person's face. By having specialized in ophthalmology as well as oculoplastic surgery; oculoplastic surgeons are uniquely qualified to perform complex eyelid, orbital and cosmetic surgery around the eye and also to provide care the eye itself may need.
Typically, an oculoplastic surgeon undergoes a three-year residency training in ophthalmology (diseases of the eye). Following this, they undergo a two or three-year specialized training in oculoplastic surgery. Here they receive specialized training in the treatment and surgery of all eyelid and orbital diseases, trauma, tumours as well as aesthetic surgery and cosmetic procedures pertaining to the eyes and the face. While other specialists such as ENT surgeons and general plastic surgeons may also perform eyelid surgeries; the practice of oculoplastic surgeons is focused only on the eyelids, orbit and surrounding areas. Thus, this gives the Oculoplastic Surgeon an unequalled level of training, expertise and experience to handle any sort of complex issues involved in plastic surgery around the eye.
Therefore, when it comes to the eyes, be careful and choose an oculoplastic surgeon to take care of you. Members of OPAI are trained, certified and expert oculoplastic surgeons - and they represent the best in their specialty.