What is an Oculoplastic Specialist?
Oculoplastic Surgeons are Ophthalmologists with additional advanced training in plastic surgery relating to the eyes and surrounding structures. In addition to college and four years of medical school, they will complete a one-year internship and a three-year residency in Ophthalmology, followed by an additional year in advanced fellowship training in Ophthalmic Plastic, Orbit and Reconstructive Surgery. To complete the fellowship training, certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology is required.
While general plastic surgeons spend their two years of residency learning skills in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for all parts of the body, an Oculoplastic Surgeon spends that time concentrating only on the eyelids, lacrimal system, orbit, and surrounding areas of the face. This intense training makes Oculoplastic Surgeons uniquely qualified to deal with the complex issues involved in performing surgery on such a delicate area and to provide ongoing eye care after surgery.