By Marquis Vaughn
Scheie Vision Annual Report 2018
The Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service at the Scheie Eye Institute serves a staggering variety of patients, ranging from those experiencing trauma from a gunshot wound to those diagnosed with thyroid eye disease. The primary goal of this specialty is to provide plastic and reconstructive surgery to the area of the face surrounding the eye and orbit. What many patients do not realize, however, is that this mission covers a variety of elective procedures. Sonul Mehta, MD, who directs this specialty alongside colleague César Briceño, MD, delves into these details.
What elective services do you provide at the Scheie Eye Institute?
We offer a range of services that are both surgical and nonsurgical to rejuvenate the mid-face and face. These services include injectable products such as fillers or botox, lasers such as intense pulsed light (IPL), and microdermabrasion, and surgeries including upper and lower lid blepharoplasty, brow lift, ptosis repair, and midface lift.
Which services are the most popular with patients?
Upper and lower lid blepharoplasty are most popular. When patients have upper eyelids that sag or droop, or lower lids that appear puffy or have pouches or bags, they may look sad or tired. Surgery to remove the excess skin and fat can help to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyelids and face.
Botox and other injectables are also popular with patients, as there is no downtime (recovery time).
What services would you like to highlight that patients may not be aware of?
There are a few services I would like to highlight:
- Photofacial: In this 30-minute treatment, the physician treats a broad range of skin conditions caused by aging and sun exposure, using the appropriate wavelength or filter. Light energy wavelengths delivered by IPL lightly heat the top layers of the skin. The skin absorbs the heat, which helps to reduce the appearance of broken blood vessels, aging spots, and other facial discolorations. This process helps to restore the skin to its normal state. In addition, the photo-thermal energy eliminates small vessels that cause redness, as well as melanin, which causes unwanted pigmentation.
- Microdermabrasion: This system is used to revitalize and renew all skin types. Small micro-crystals exfoliate the skin, while minimal suction occurs, to help remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of the face. The result is fresher and smoother skin. This treatment also minimizes the appearance of facial blemishes such as age spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scarring. There is no irritation involved, as well as no downtime for recovery. A microdermabrasion treatment also provides an excellent complement to a careful skin care regimen, by helping skin to drink in and fully benefit from the application of high-quality skin care products.
- Brow Lift Surgery: This surgical treatment is designed for patients who have excess skin on the upper lids, wrinkles and fine lines that run across the forehead horizontally, droopy eyebrows, or vertical frown lines that appear in between the eyebrows. The treatment itself gives patients a more youthful and rested appearance, all while eliminating heavy wrinkles and fine lines.
What is the most common question you receive?
The most common question I receive is: “what is the downtime after eyelid surgery?” Most patients from eyelid surgery usually have bruising and swelling for about one to two weeks.
What are some differences between a plastic surgeon and an oculoplastic surgeon?
As an oculo-facial plastic surgeon, I specialize in surgeries around the eyes and mid-face. The training of oculoplastic surgeons begins after medical school with a residency in ophthalmology or eye surgery. This training involves understanding the intimate details of the eye, eyelids, bones, tear duct, and facial region around the eye. A key portion of ophthalmology training is very delicate surgery that not only requires an exquisitely delicate touch, but also close attention to detail and precision. After residency, I completed a two-year fellowship dedicated to surgeries and procedures around the eye and face.
Upper Lid Blepharoplasty Pre-Op Upper Lid Blepharoplasty Post-Op Week 3