Oculoplastic Surgeon vs. Plastic Surgeon

It is often said that “the eyes are the window to the soul.” The eyes are our primary source of facial expression, providing essential clues to our emotions and personalities. When it comes to such an important feature, you should only trust the health and appearance of your eyes to the very best.

If you are considering eyelid surgery, it is important that you understand the many options available to you. While a plastic surgeon is, in many cases, a generalist, an oculoplastic surgeon is someone who specializes only in improving both the appearance and the function of this very fragile and delicate area of the eyes and face.

Oculoplastic Surgeons

The extensive training to become certified as an Oculoplastic Surgeon begins after medical school and completion of four years as an intern and resident in Ophthalmologic (eye) Surgery. During this training, the candidate focuses solely on operating on the eyes and the very fragile tissues that surround them.

The delicate nature of these surgeries and incredibly fine sutures helps prepare the candidate for the next phase of his or her education:  at least two years of additional fellowship training in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures solely focused on the eye area and upper face.

Before receiving certification from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), an Oculoplastic Surgeon undergoes a minimum of 6 years of specialized training and must also submit scientific research and pass written and oral examinations.¹

Not only does an Oculoplastic Surgeon have the experience and precise touch necessary to properly manipulate and suture the fragile tissues in the eye area, but they have the knowledge needed to avoid certain risks and complications that may endanger the health of a patient’s eyes.

General Plastic Surgeons

Once a Plastic Surgeon completes medical school, they begin a residency in general surgery. This means that they spend time operating on all parts of the body and perform far fewer aesthetic procedures than an Oculoplastic Surgeon in training. They then go on to complete a fellowship in Plastic Surgery, which also typically involves treating all parts of the body. The average Plastic Surgeon in training performs roughly 150 eyelid surgeries, compared to nearly 500 performed by Ophthalmologists before they even begin training as an Oculoplastic Surgeon.²

At the same time, Oculoplastic Surgeons in training are practicing the precise, fine touch necessary to operate on the most delicate and fragile tissues around the eyes. This laser-focus on the eyes is different from most Plastic Surgeons who are trained generalists, performing cosmetic procedures on every area of the body.

Why Entrust Your Eyes to an Oculoplastic Surgeon from CEI?

The Oculoplastic Surgeons at Cincinnati Eye Institute have dedicated their careers to perfecting functional and cosmetic eye care procedures.

To learn more about the many Oculoplastic Surgery options we offer at CEI, please contact us to schedule your personal consultation.

¹ American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Why Choose an ASOPRS Surgeon? Available: https://www.asoprs.org/why-choose-an-asoprs-surgeon. Accessed November 13, 2020.
² Tanna N, Lesavoy MA, Kawamoto HK, Boyd JB, Fedortsova N, Andrews BT, Bradley JP. Experiential learning in aesthetic surgery training: a quantitative comparison among surgical subspecialties. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012 Mar;129(3):528e-534e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182402efd. Retraction in: Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012 Sep;130(3):737. PMID: 22374002. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22374002/. Accessed November 13, 2020.