Eye plastic surgery is also known as oculoplastic surgery. We offer greater Atlanta Oculoplastic surgery, which is plastic surgery as it pertains to the area around the eye. The eyelids and surrounding areas are extremely delicate and complex structures that are vital to the preservation of sight and are important features of a normal facial appearance. Oculoplastic surgeons are uniquely qualified to perform this delicate surgery and to provide care to the eye itself. Dr. Neufeld performs surgery that specifically deals with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts and the face.
An oculoplastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist (medical doctor and eye surgeon) who has completed additional advanced training in plastic surgery as it relates to the eyes and surrounding structures. The specialty of oculoplastics combines the meticulous detailed microsurgical techniques of ophthalmology with the aesthetic understanding of plastic surgery.
Dr. Kenneth R. Neufeld is the oculoplastic surgeon for Thomas Eye Group. However, Dr. Neufeld is not your traditional oculoplastic surgeon. He was trained first as an ophthalmologist and then as an oculoplastic specialist. This provides Dr. Neufeld with specific skills and training to deal with all of the complex ramifications of the eyelid, orbital, tear duct, and facial plastics procedures, all of which result in better vision and a natural, more youthful appearance.
Dr. Neufeld utilizes the most advanced laser technology to perform many of his procedures. The laser is used instead of a scalpel or other traditional means of performing surgery because this technology enables Dr. Neufeld to perform surgery with minimal blood loss. This allows for a quicker surgery and a quicker and easier recovery as well.
Oculoplastic procedures refer to a large variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts and the face. These procedures include repair of droopy eyelids, repair of tear duct obstructions, orbital fracture repairs, removal of tumors in and around the eyes, and facial rejuvenation procedures including laser skin resurfacing eye lifts and brow lifts. We offer these procedures at many of our locations including Atlanta and Sandy Springs.
Oculoplastic procedures frequently have both functional and aesthetic purposes. For example, blepharoplasty, a procedure for excessive and droopy eyelid skin, may improve peripheral vision as well as facial beauty and rejuvenation. Repair of tear duct obstructions prevents chronic infections and tears from running out of the eyes and down the face. Repair of orbital fractures may prevent double vision as well as sunken eye appearance. Specialized plastic surgery procedures to treat medical conditions that affect vision and eye health, and to restore or enhance facial aesthetics and beauty, include:
Want to take years off of your eyes? Our oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Neufeld, recently appeared on Atlanta & Company to discuss how he is utilizing lasers to achieve optimal results for his patients:
The stretching or drooping of facial skin as we age results in eyebrows that look tired and ‘heavy’ and eyelids that seem too full or pouchy. A brow lift is a surgical procedure that restores the brows to a more elevated and appropriate position. Dr. Neufeld takes great care to be conservative in this procedure and obtains a more youthful and natural appearance for his patients.
A traditional brow lift involves an incision across the scalp from one ear to the other, however, an endoscopic brow lift allows the procedure to be performed by tiny incisions that are buried in the hairline. An endoscopic brow lift is done under general anesthesia and patients usually wear a head bandage for one to two days.
Some post-operative swelling, bruising, and mild pain are normal but patients will be rewarded with a more rested, youthful appearance within a few days after the procedure and improved visual field. If you want to learn more about the endoscopic Brow Lift or our other aesthetics & oculoplastics offerings, contact the Thomas Eye Group in Atlanta today!
Abnormal eyelashes may also require aesthetic oculoplastic treatment. Normally, the eyelashes are aimed away from the eye. Occasionally, the eyelashes can be misdirected towards the eye and cause great discomfort. The causes of a misdirected eyelash are numerous. Chronic irritation of the eyelid can cause eyelashes to become misdirected, specific diseases, prior surgery, and trauma can also be causes of misdirected eyelashes.
Treatment for misdirected eyelashes depends on the cause and specific area of the eyelid involved with the eyelashes. Simple pulling of the eyelashes with tweezers is usually a temporary solution with the eyelashes returning in several weeks. Electrolysis can be performed on the eyelid as well. Freezing the eyelid in specific areas can cure misdirected eyelashes when certain patterns are seen. Lastly, eyelash surgery is occasionally needed. The specific solution or treatment of misdirected eyelashes will be determined after an evaluation by Dr. Neufeld in our Sandy Springs location.
The eye is housed in what is called the orbit. The orbit has a wall on either side, a roof and a floor. The floor of the orbit, which lies under the eye, is the most common part of the orbit to become fractured or broken. This can occur when there is trauma to the eye area. Automobile accidents, falls, and fistfights are the most common causes of an orbital floor fracture.
When the orbital floor is fractured, the structures behind the eye and the eye itself can get caught in the fracture or the break in the bone. When this happens, patients can experience double vision, pain or a sunken appearance of the eye.
A repair of the fracture must be performed in certain circumstances. The repair involves removing any orbital structure from the fracture area and repairing the break by means of a plate. The plate reforms the floor and provides support for the eye itself. This is usually done as an outpatient surgery which allows the patient to return home the same day. It usually takes approximately one hour to perform this surgery and there is minimal pain or discomfort following the surgery. Patients use eye drops for one week after surgery to prevent infection.
If you have any questions about orbital fractures or our other aesthetic and oculoplastic treatment options, contact us in our Sandy Springs location or any of our other convenient locations!
The eye, being largely composed of liquid or moisture-bearing tissues, needs a constant supply of fluid or tears to retain health and function. There is a delicate balance between enough fluid, too little, or too much.
There are a number of reasons why excessive eye watering can occur. The most common is as a reflex to dryness of the cornea or surface of the eye. This type of tearing can be alleviated simply with artificial tears to stop the reflex from occurring or with punctal plugs to decrease the rate of drainage of the tears. There are newer medications that actually help the body produce more moisture to coat the eye and keep it comfortable and protected. This often is able to stop the reflex that produces too many tears in response to a dry eye.
Another common cause of eye-watering is an obstruction in the outflow of the tears from the eye. If tears cannot drain properly but more tears are being produced, the eye fills uncomfortably. Normally, tears flow from the eyelids into the back of the nose. When people cry, they often sniffle to keep the excess tears flowing into the nose from dripping out. An obstruction or blockage can occur anywhere along with this “plumbing system” and cause the tears to roll down the cheek. Sometimes, the existing drainage system needs to be corrected to keep the tear flow system open. Other times, the existing system needs to be bypassed entirely in order for the tears to have a way out of the eye.
This involves surgery to establish an open and unobstructed drainage pathway. Procedures to achieve this vary according to the specific problem area involved. The specific procedure is determined after an exam in the office where the tear drainage pathway is examined very closely. To learn more about eye-watering treatment or any of our other aesthetics and oculoplastics treatments, contact us to any of our Thomas Eye Group locations.
What Is Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease is often a condition related to an auto-immune disorder that affects the thyroid gland in the neck. It generally occurs in conjunction with the thyroid disorder called Graves' disease. The disease can affect nearly any of the tissues that surround the eye or the bony orbit that houses the eye. It causes these tissues to swell and thereby changes their ability to function properly and to change the position and appearance of the eyeball. Most patients who have Thyroid Eye Disease are hyperthyroid (too much thyroid hormone in the blood), but those who are hypothyroid (too little thyroid in the blood) or euthyroid (normal thyroid levels in the blood) can be affected as well, albeit less frequently.
What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease usually runs its' course over a period of one to three years before the eyes become stable. The appearance may be back to where it started or some of the appearance of the thyroid eye disease may persist. There are many procedures that can be performed to counteract the changes that thyroid eye disease causes, most are minor but occasionally more major surgery is needed. In some patients, the eyes return to normal, while others are left with permanent changes. Much can be done to improve these problems, but such improvements may require surgery.
There are many different procedures that can deal with the manifestation of thyroid eye disease. These can range from mild procedures to major surgery. The specific cure will depend on the exact problem that is occurring. This will be discussed after a detailed consultation with Dr. Neufeld. If you have questions about Thyroid Eye disease or our other aesthetic and oculoplastic offerings, feel free to contact us at any of our convenient Thomas Eye Group locations.
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Wrinkles, frown lines, unwanted blemishes or just the effects of aging – all of these can detract from an attractive appearance and all can be treated by these main cosmetic technologies:
Our Aesthetics team also uses Sciton® Technology to perform a variety of laser treatments including:
Understanding how each of these works – and how combinations of these treatments can reward your expectations – will help you to decide how to best benefit from the cosmetic procedures available at Thomas Eye Group.
To learn how these cosmetic procedures can work for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Neufeld’s team at our Sandy Springs location. Dr. Kenneth R. Neufeld is the oculoplastic surgeon for Thomas Eye Group. He trained first as an ophthalmologist and then as an oculoplastic specialist. He has specialized training to deal with all of the complex ramifications of eyelids, orbital bone area, tear ducts, and facial plastic procedures which result in better vision and a natural, more youthful appearance.
Our oculoplastic procedures are performed under local anesthesia and with light sedation. This combination is much safer and leads to faster recovery. Dr. Neufeld performs all of the procedures himself and sees patients on their pre-operative visit, the surgery, and all necessary post-operative visits. Contact Thomas Eye today to schedule your appointment with the Atlanta Aesthetic & Occuplastics experts!
