Many eyelid and facial conditions require reconstructive surgery. Dr. Punja will evaluate your condition and recommend the proper procedure. Common conditions for which he will do reconstructive surgery include facial and eyelid injuries and reconstruction after surgery to remove cancer as well as drooping eyelids (PTOSIS), entropion in which the eyelid turns in, and ectropion in which the eyelid turns out.
As we age the skin and muscles of the upper eyelid weaken and the eyelid may droop. When this is sufficient to impair vision or when it negatively affects your appearance, it is time for surgery. Dr. Punja does surgery for PTOSIS on an outpatient basis and typically under local anaesthesia. After this surgery your vision will not be blocked by drooping eyelids and you will no longer have the “sleepy” appearance so often seen with this condition.
When your eyelids roll inward this may cause the eyelashes to rub against and irritate your eyes. This typically results in increased tearing and a feeling that you have something in your eye. It can lead to crusting of the eyelid, a discharge of mucus, irritation of the cornea, and visual impairment. The most common reason for this condition is relaxation and weakening of the eyelid tissue due to aging. Entropion surgery is done on an outpatient basis and under local anaesthesia.
With aging the lower eyelid especially may turn outward due to weakening of the small muscles that normally hold it in place. When the lower eyelid sags instead of remaining firmly against the eye irritation and dryness are the result. Ectropion repair is done by tightening the eyelid muscles. It is an outpatient surgery done under local anaesthesia.
Cancers of the eyelids most often occur on the lower lids but can occur anywhere along the margins of the eyelids, at the corners of the eye, on the skin of the eyebrow, on the face near the eyelids. Cancers of the eyelids and well as face and arms are most commonly caused to long and intense exposure to sunlight. They are most often painless and are an elevated area of skin or a nodule. The most common skin cancers of the eyelid and face are called basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Although these tend to be slow-growing tumors, early treatment is always in order to minimize the amount of skin affected by the surgery and obtain a better surgical result.
Dr. Punja does these surgeries or, as in the case of MOHS surgery by a dermatologist, he will complete the reconstructive repair after the tumor has been removed.
Dr. Karim Punja, an Ophthalmologist at the Calgary Orbit Eye Centre, specializes in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery. He has extensive experience in blepharoplasty (droopy eyelids), Botox & fillers, lacrimal & orbital surgery, and cataract surgery.
Dr. Chirag Shah is a comprehensive Ophthalmologist in Calgary and retinal medical specialist. His practice areas focus on retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal detachments, retinopathy of prematurity (blinding retinal disease in premature babies), diabetic retinopathy, hereditary eye diseases, and hypertensive retinopathy.
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