Oculoplastics & Lacrimal

Oculoplastics involves treating patients with eyelid, tear duct and orbital cavity diseases.  This service is run by Miss Kimia Ziahosseini and Mr Bijan Beigi, both oculoplastic surgeons.

Eyelid conditions

We treat a wide range of eyelid problems. For example, eyelids may be affected by various types of skin cancers that require removal and reconstruction. Eyelids can also turn in (entropion) or turn out (ectropion) or become droopy affecting vision. Patients may also have problem with the closure of their eyes. This can happen in those with facial nerve palsy and can be treated to prevent problems with the eye surface and vision.

Lacrimal conditions

Watery eyes are the result of tear drainage abnormalities such as narrowing and blockage. We treat these by probing, intubating and bypassing the tear duct. Lacrimal surgery can be done through the inside of nose without a cut on the skin or through a skin incision on the side of the nose.

Orbital disease

The orbital cavity contains the eyeball, muscles around the eye and fat. Orbit can be affected by a variety of conditions. Some systemic diseases such as thyroid problems can also affect the orbitals tissue. Some tumours can grow within the bony orbit behind the eye affecting the eyeball position and vision. Most orbital diseases can be treated successfully by surgery.

What happens in the oculoplastics and lacrimal clinics?

Oculoplastics clinic deals with eyelid diseases. Lacrimal clinic is for watery eyes and tear duct problems.  Everyone will have their eye sight measured.  Eyelids will be examined by an eye specialist.  If you have watery eyes, we will look at your eyelids and assess the drainage of your tears. In order to do this, we put an orange dye in your eye to see how they drain away. We may have to wash the tear drainage system to establish if there is an obstruction. We may also examine the inside of your nose.

If there is a significant problem, you may be offered an operation.  Operations on the eyelids are usually done under local anaesthesia. Most of lacrimal and orbital operations are performed under general anaesthesia. Your specialist will discuss all the relevant issues with you when you come to the eye clinic.