Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery of the eyelids and upper face can improve the look and function of your eyes, eyelids, and face. Injuries, congenital (present at birth) defects, aging changes, and tumours can cause pain, permanent eye damage, loss of vision, and cosmetic disfigurement.

A wide range of reconstructive surgery options for the facial structures are done, including:

• Correcting eyelid position problems, such as the eyelids turning inward or turning outward
• Inserting implants to raise drooping lower eyelids due to aging changes or thyroid eye disease
• Permanently removing eyelashes that rub on and irritate the eyes
• Reconstructing eye sockets in which the eye has been removed and you are not able to comfortably wear a prosthetic eye due to scarring changes
• Reconstructing eyelids after traumatic injuries or skin cancer excisions
• Removing benign (harmless) and malignant (cancerous) growths on the skin of the face and eyelids

What to Expect

Details vary greatly, depending on the specific surgery you receive. You may be under local anaesthesia, local anaesthesia with intravenous (by vein) sedation, or general (fully asleep) anaesthesia for your procedure.

In most surgeries, you will be able to return home the day of surgery. Your ophthalmologist and team will answer all your questions and provide detailed instructions about the procedure, if or how long you will need to stay in the hospital, and how long your recovery period will be.

Who is a Candidate?

If you have any of the following conditions, reconstructive surgery may help improve the appearance and function of your eyes:

• Abnormally growing or misdirected eyelashes that touch the eyes
• Blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm (excessive involuntary blinking of the eyes)
• Brow ptosis (drooping eyebrows)
• Ptosis (drooping upper eyelids)
• Dermatochalasis (sagging and excess eyelid fat and skin)
• Eyelid cancer
• Fractures and lacerations in or around the eyes
• Graves’ disease/thyroid eye disease
• Orbital tumours (tumours in the tissues behind the eyes)
• Tear duct blockage resulting in excessive tearing
• Trauma requiring removal of the eye