Eye They say the eyes reflect your personality. If you want to make any changes to this area of your face, look to a facial plastic surgeon with the specialized training needed to care for the delicate skin, nerves and bones that surround the eyes.

Eye Conditions

Dermatochalasis

Slightly different than droopy eyelids, this condition is often referred to as “baggy eyes.” An excess of skin in either the upper or lower eyelid can impact appearance and make one look tired or older than they are.

Droopy eyelids

Also called ptosis, droopy eyelids can affect only one or both eyes. If the upper eyelid falls enough, the drooping eyelid can interfere with vision.

Orbital fracture

This includes any break to the bones around the eye socket. These delicate bones require careful repair to restore appearance and protect vision.

Thinning eyelashes

The eyelashes serve as a frame to your eyes. As they thin with aging or due to illness, it can affect your looks. We can prescribe Latisse® to improve the strength, length and fullness of your eyelashes.
Facial paralysis impacting the eyes, including:

Bell's palsy

Although its cause is unknown and the resulting facial paralysis typically resolves, patients with Bell’s palsy can be helped with corticosteroids, anti-viral medications, eye drops and careful surveillance to prevent long-term damage. Those who do not recover full facial mobility may consider surgical repair options.

Facial paresis or nerve damage

Can be caused by injury, illness or from a medical procedure that impacts the nerves.

Lower lid ectropion

Ectropion is when the eyelid turns outward, leaving the inner eyelid surface exposed and prone to irritation. More common in older adults, it can be exacerbated by facial paralysis.

Mobius syndrome

Present from birth, the primary symptom of this neurological disorder is facial paralysis, leaving the individual typically unable to smile or frown or move eyes from side to side.

Paralytic lagophthalmos

This refers to the incomplete closure of eyelids resulting from facial paralysis.

Synkinesis

This is when nerves are “miswired” due to facial nerve injury, causing involuntary muscular movements when voluntary movements are made. For example, an eye may close when someone smiles.

Eye Treatments

Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery

Whether you have droopy or baggy eyelids or are unhappy with the appearance of your eyelids for another reason, a blepharoplasty can be done to upper lids, lower lids or both. This can restore a more youthful appearance and may also improve vision by removing excess skin.

Facial reanimation and repair

Whether caused by injury, trauma or medical condition and treatment, we can repair the eye area or restore a range of facial movements with very intricate surgeries or some nonsurgical options. Ohio State’s Leslie Kim, MD, is certified in these specialized procedures and is one of only a few facial paralysis experts in Ohio.

Fracture repair

When the facial bones around the eye are broken, treatment requires careful planning and delicate technique. The facial plastic surgeons at Ohio State have specialized training and certification in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Latisse®

A topical solution applied daily to improve strength, length and fullness of eyelashes.

Additional Information