Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Oculoplastics)

Oculofacial plastics, also known as oculoplastics, is a subspecialty of ophthalmology that handles disease and surgery of the structures around the eye. Oculofacial plastic surgeons specialize in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the tissues around the eyes (forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks), lacrimal (tear) drainage system, and orbit (bones surrounding the eye).

ASOPRS LogoAt Wolfe Eye Clinic, our oculofacial plastic surgeons are highly trained and have completed additional fellowship training in oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. As members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), Dr. Douglas Casady and Dr. Audrey Ko represent two of only six oculofacial plastic surgeons with fellowship training in the state of Iowa. Wolfe Eye Clinic offers oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery services at our clinics located in Ankeny and Des Moines clinics. 

Oculoplastic surgeons are ophthalmologists, or eye surgeons, with specialized training in plastic surgery around the eyes, working exclusively with the structures in the eye area including the eyelids, eye sockets and tear ducts. They can reconstruct eyelids with upper and lower eyelid surgery, correct eyelid-position abnormalities, remove growths and rebuild these critical structures surrounding the eye. The position of the eyelid is vital to the health of the eye. Many refer to oculoplastic surgeons as eye plastic and reconstructive surgeons as well.

At Wolfe Eye Clinic our surgeons perform oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery in Iowa at various locations including our state-of-the-art Wolfe Surgery Center in Des Moines. Our oculoplastic procedures are outpatient, and patients are provided local anesthesia and either monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or general anesthesia to reduce discomfort. After surgery, patients generally experience a quick recovery and are able to go home shortly after their procedure with an accompanying driver.

Moreover, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at (833) 532-8809 or request more information by filling out our form here.

Meet Our Oculofacial Plastic Surgeons

Who can benefit from oculoplastic surgery?

An oculoplastic procedure is a type of surgery done around the eyes. You may have this procedure to correct a medical problem or for cosmetic reasons. Such conditions that can be treated with oculoplastic surgery may include:

  • Droopy upper eyelids (ptosis) or excess upper eyelid skin (dermatochalasis)
  • Eyelids that turn inward (entropion) or outward (ectropion)
  • Eye problems caused by orbital conditions, such as Thyroid Eye Disease or orbital tumors
  • Skin cancers or other growths around the eyes
  • Muscle weakness around the eyes or eyelids caused by Bell’s palsy
  • Spasms around the eyes that need to be controlled with injection of neurotoxin (benign essential blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm)
  • Tear duct problems
  • Injuries to the eye or eye area
  • Birth defects of the eyes or orbit (the bone around the eyeball)
  • Cosmetic injectable procedures including soft tissue fillers and neurotoxin injections
  • Cosmetic surgery such as an eyelid lift or removing lower eyelid bags

Patients frequently ask, how much does lower eyelid surgery cost? Does insurance cover eyelid surgery? While the answer may not be that simple, the best answer is to work with your insurance company to determine what types of surgeries may be covered and ask questions at your oculoplastics appointment at Wolfe Eye Clinic. Typically, cosmetic surgeries are not covered by insurance, and your oculoplastic specialist can help you determine if your procedure is medically necessary.

Is there an oculoplastic surgeon near me?

Wolfe Eye Clinic offers appointments with fellowship trained oculoplastic specialists in Iowa at our Ankeny and Des Moines clinics. Whether you require medically necessary care or are hoping to enhance your appearance with cosmetic eye surgery, Wolfe Eye Clinic can help. Our oculoplastic specialists are dedicated to improving the functionality of the eyes and talking you through the process to making the best choice for your vision and appearance.

Finding the best oculoplastic surgeon near you can seem overwhelming, but it’s important to consider experience and expertise. Dr. Douglas Casady and Dr. Audrey Ko at Wolfe Eye Clinic provide specialized training in oculofacial plastics and reconstructive surgery and have helped hundreds of patients meet their oculoplastic medical and cosmetic needs in Iowa, especially western Iowa where services are hard to find. The most important questions a patient should ask before any surgery— is whether the surgeon has a lot of experience with this condition and surgical procedure, and what were the outcomes.

The oculoplastic surgeons at Wolfe Eye Clinic understand the eye’s intricate details are specially trained to treat conditions that affect the areas surrounding eyes. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with our oculoplastic specialists, call us at (833) 532-8809 or request information here!