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Orbital Surgery

Orbital surgery is a type of surgery that is performed on the eye socket (orbit) and the surrounding structures, including the eyelids, muscles, and bones. It is typically performed by an ophthalmologist or an oculoplastic surgeon, who has specialized training in treating disorders and conditions that affect the eye and its surrounding structures.

Orbital surgery can be performed for a variety of reasons, including to repair damage caused by trauma, to remove tumors or other growths, to correct abnormalities or defects in the eye or its surrounding structures, and to treat disorders such as Graves' disease or orbital cellulitis.

The type of surgery that is performed will depend on the specific condition or problem that is being addressed. Orbital surgery may involve removing tissue or bone, repositioning muscles or other structures, or implanting artificial devices, such as orbital prostheses.

Orbital Surgery before & after photos

Click for Detailed Written Explanation About Orbital Surgery

WHY MIGHT I NEED SURGERY OF MY EYE SOCKET?

The eye socket is a relatively small space with many important structures in it.  Surgery of the orbit (eye socket) may be necessary to remove foreign bodies (wood, metal, etc.) or tumors which can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).  In some cases, if the foreign body or tumor is not pressing on the eye structures, it may be safely left alone and monitored or watched clinically with serial exams and repeated imaging as recommended by your doctor.  In other cases, it is important to the safety of the eye to remove it.  This is best done by a specialist in eye socket surgery which is a surgeon who has done a two year fellowship and is a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (or ASOPRS) such as Dr. Broadbent or Dr. Michels. 

HOW IS THE EYE SOCKET SURGERY DONE?

Surgery of the eye socket is usually done in an operating room with the patient under general anesthesia (completely asleep).  Your doctor will NOT remove the eyeball!  Appropriately placed incisions are used to get to the tumor or foreign body and delicate instruments are used to move the eye to one side and allow your doctor to see the mass.  Sometimes bone is removed to aid in access by providing a larger space for the surgeon to work and the bone it replaced back into position at the end of surgery. Your doctor may need to patch the eye after surgery but often does not.

HOW WILL EYE SOCKET SURGERY AFFECT MY VISION OR APPEARANCE?

The results of orbital (eye socket) surgery depend upon each patient’s severity and location of the mass, symptoms, unique anatomy, and appearance goals. Eye socket surgery is not considered cosmetic surgery, but some patients feel that they look better after they have healed.  Orbital surgery does not improve blurred vision caused by problems inside the eyeball, or by visual loss caused by neurological trauma behind the eye.  This surgery cannot repair all problems associated with trauma to the face or tumors in the eye socket.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR RISKS?

Risks of orbital surgery include but are not limited to:  bleeding, infection, an asymmetric or unbalanced appearance, scarring, difficulty closing the eyes (which may cause damage to the underlying corneal surface), double vision, dry eye, numbness and/or tingling near the eye or on the face, and, in rare cases, loss of vision. You may need additional treatment or surgery to treat these complications. Due to individual differences in anatomy, response to surgery, and wound healing, no guarantees can be made as to your final result.  

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

You may be willing to live with the symptoms associated with the foreign body, the changes from the trauma that has occurred causing you to seek care, or tumor (pain, visual loss, double vision, etc.) and, therefore, decide not to have surgery on your eye socket at this time.  In some cases, double vision may be improved with glasses or eye muscle surgery.

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