Difference between Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic Surgeons

Both oculoplastic and ophthalmic surgeons specialize in carrying out different surgical treatments pertaining to the eye and surrounding structures. Many people often confuse between the two, however, both of these are different based on the kind of eye surgeries they specialize in.

In fact, the basic medical degrees of both oculoplastic surgeons and ophthalmic surgeons are the same at the post-graduate level. After completing a two-year residency in Ophthalmology after the course, an ophthalmic surgeon can undergo a special two-year program training and appear for oral and written examination to be certified as an oculoplastic surgeon. 

An ophthalmic plastic surgeon, also known as an ophthalmologist, mainly deals with the corrective eye surgeries. They are experts at treating eye disorders of retina, cataract, eyeball, glaucoma, partial blindness etc. An oculoplastic surgeon specializes in both cosmetic and corrective eye surgery procedures. Though the primary concern for an oculoplastic surgeon is the health and safety of your eyes but they can also carry out cosmetic procedures such as correction of droopy eyelids, lazy eye, dark under eye circles, etc.

Top Oculoplastic surgeons diagnose, evaluate and treat diseases and conditions that affect the eyelids, tear system, orbit and face such as eyelid ptosis, eyelid trauma or lacerations, entropion and ectropion, eyelid spasms, thyroid eye disease, orbital tumors or fractures, problems involving the tear duct or tear drain.

In addition to the above procedures, oculoplastic surgeons are also trained in the treatment of cosmetic problems like ageing e.g., loose skin, wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles, etc. They offer a range of cosmetic treatments, as other plastic surgeons do, treating with eye area depending on the condition with injectable, resurfacing procedures, chemical peels and eyelash enhancement.

It is important to know the difference between oculoplastic and ophthalmic surgeons since both of them hold expertise in different fields despite holding the same initial medical education. Most oculoplastic surgeons can do an ophthalmic procedure, however, the opposite does not hold true.