Oculoplastic Surgery, also known as Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive, also known as ‘Eye Plastic Surgery’ is a surgical branch of Ophthalmology that deals with the medical and surgical management of diseases, deformities and abnormalities of the eyelids, lacrimal (tear) system, orbit (bony socket) and the adjacent facial structures. It also deals with plastic and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, eyebrows, the forehead, the cheek and the mid face.
Oculoplastic surgery also encompasses tumours or cancers of the eye, the eyelids and the bony socket.
Oculoplastic surgeons, typically are fellowship-trained. This means that after having completed a three-year residency in ophthalmology, they have to undergo a two-year specialized dedicated structured training program – this is called as a fellowship. This usually is a course that is offered at high-quality training institutes and hospitals. This focused training program makes them expert clinicians and surgeons at handling complex cases pertaining to the specialty of oculoplastics. By restricting their study and practice to only the eyes certain parts of the face, oculoplastic surgeons become experts in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the human face surrounding the eyes.
OPAI, as an organization is the representative body of the oculoplastic surgeons across the country. It is committed to promoting the cause of oculoplastic surgery and disseminating information and the latest scientific breakthroughs in the specialty.