Oculoplastics at Emory Eye Center

A comprehensive approach to medical & cosmetic procedures

mother with her son who has suffered a physical injury to his eye

At the Emory Eye Center, oculoplastics combines advanced training in ophthalmology with specialization in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Our clinicians perform oculoplastic surgery on children and adults to correct or treat disorders of the eyelids, tear production and drainage lacrimal system, brows, the area of the face adjacent to the eye, and the bones around the eye.

The Eye Center's oculoplastic and oculo-facial surgeons also perform cosmetic surgery and procedures enhance the appearance of patients.

Reconstructive procedures

Our clinicians are trained to perform procedures to correct deformities caused by:

Ptosis: droopy upper eyelids in children and adults
Entropion: inward turning of the eyelids
Ectropion: outward turning of the eyelids
Retraction of the eyelids caused from birth defects or thyroid diseases, such as Graves' disease
Skin cancer or injuries
Artificial eyes and eye socket surgery

Lower lid procedures

For lower-lid procedures, Emory Eye Center clinicians are trained to elevate the lids are and tighten them with canthoplasty to re-suspend them and to reduce symptoms of redness and irritation from corneal exposure.

Tear duct surgery

Our clinicians are trained repair tear duct blockages theough dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) or Jones tube placement (artificial tear duct). This condition is commonly caused by a previous infection or trauma, or may occur with aging.

Orbital surgery

This is surgery within the bony portion of the eye socket to reposition the bones or remove tumors that may occur within the socket. A procedure called orbital decompression is used to correct the appearance of protruding eyes often caused by Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism. The bony socket is expanded to accommodate the swelling and extra tissue deposited behind the eye. The surgeons work closely with the patient's endocrinologist to determine the best conditions for the procedure.

Cosmetic Procedures

The Oculoplastic Section of the Emory Eye Center performs cosmetic facial surgery on the structures and area around the eyes that aesthetically enhance the appearance of patients. Our oculo-facial surgeons are specialists in nonsurgical, cosmetic facial services that counteract the normal effects of aging to create a natural, healthier, more youthful appearance.

Surgeons in this section are trained in the following cosmetic procedures:

Botox® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA), Dysport®, and Xeomin®
Botox® Cosmetic , Dysport®, and Xeomin® are FDA-approved for the treatment of facial wrinkles. They are used to soften laugh lines, "crow's feet," forehead wrinkles, lip wrinkles and more in both men and women. Ted Wojno, MD, director of Oculoplastics, Orbital and Cosmetic Surgery at Emory Eye Center, co-authored the seminal paper, in 1984, on the groundbreaking research on the clinical use of Botox® in the eye area.
Forehead/Eyebrow Lift, Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty); Asian blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery)
Surgeons surgically remove excess skin and fat from the patient's eyelids, and where indicated, also raise the eyebrows. In addition to improving appearance, this addresses upper eyelid sagging which can significantly obstruct range of vision.
Facial Fillers: Restylane® Juvederm® Ultra Juvederm® Ultra Plus
Facial fillers provide needed filling in or contouring of the face. They are used to minimize facial wrinkles and folds, such as lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds), deeper frown lines, and shadows around the eyes.
Facial Peels
Facial peels are nonsurgical cosmetic resurfacing techniques that can be performed as outpatient procedures. Removing facial wrinkles doesn't have to mean stretched skin and a plastic look. Sun damage, fine wrinkles, acne scarring, age spots, uneven pigmentation and other facial imperfections can be erased or improved with facial peels, which remove the damaged top layers of skin to restore a more youthful appearance.
Laser Treatments
Laser facial resurfacing is used to decrease facial wrinkles by tightening the skin.
LatisseTM
LatisseTM is a topical medication used to grow longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes.