Oculoplastic surgery — sometimes called ophthalmic plastic surgery or oculoplastics — is the subspecialty of ophthalmology concerned with the eyelids, the eye socket (orbit), and the tear drainage system (lacrimal apparatus). Practitioners are ophthalmic surgeons with specific fellowship training in this field: they understand the eye as an organ, the unique functional and cosmetic requirements of the periocular region, and the surgical techniques needed to operate safely around the eye. This guide explains the full range of oculoplastic procedures available from Mr Mohyudin in Yorkshire.
Eyelid surgery (oculoplastic procedures)
The eyelids protect the eye's surface, distribute the tear film, and contribute significantly to facial appearance. Oculoplastic eyelid surgery addresses conditions that affect their function, position or appearance.
- Blepharoplasty (upper eyelid lift) — removal of excess upper eyelid skin. Functional (when skin obstructs vision) or cosmetic. Very commonly performed.
- Blepharoplasty (lower eyelid surgery) — removal or redistribution of lower eyelid fat pads ('bags under the eyes'), with or without skin tightening.
- Ptosis repair — correction of a drooping upper eyelid. The levator muscle (which raises the eyelid) is shortened or advanced. Functional (improves vision and field) and cosmetic benefit.
- Entropion repair — correction of an inward-turning eyelid (lower lid turns in, causing lashes to rub the eye). Causes chronic irritation, discharge and corneal damage if untreated.
- Ectropion repair — correction of an outward-turning lower eyelid. Causes watering, redness and exposure of the corneal and conjunctival surfaces.
- Eyelid cyst (chalazion) removal — surgical drainage of a chronic meibomian gland cyst. Performed under local anaesthetic as a minor procedure.
- Eyelid lesion excision and reconstruction — removal of benign and malignant skin lesions from the eyelids, with reconstruction to restore function and appearance.
- Trichiasis treatment — management of misdirected eyelashes that cause corneal irritation.
Ptosis — drooping eyelid surgery
Ptosis is a drooping of the upper eyelid below its normal position, partially or fully covering the pupil. It can affect one or both eyes. Causes include age-related stretching or dehiscence of the levator aponeurosis (the most common adult cause), congenital ptosis, nerve palsy, and myasthenia gravis.
Surgical correction involves tightening the levator muscle (levator advancement) for most adult cases, or a frontalis sling procedure for severe congenital ptosis where the levator has little function. Ptosis surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic in adults and under general anaesthetic in children.
Ptosis is distinguished from excess eyelid skin (dermatochalasis) by a careful examination. Both conditions can coexist, and both may need to be addressed in the same operation for the best functional and cosmetic result.
Eyelid malposition — entropion and ectropion
Entropion (inward-turning lid) and ectropion (outward-turning lid) are the two principal eyelid malposition conditions. Both predominantly affect the lower eyelid and both become more common with age as the eyelid supporting structures weaken.
Entropion causes the lashes to scratch the cornea continuously, leading to discharge, redness, pain, and eventually corneal ulceration or scarring. It is a functional condition that always warrants treatment.
Ectropion causes the lower lid to pull away from the eye, exposing the inner surface of the lid. Tears cannot drain properly, causing overflow (watering), and the exposed conjunctiva becomes chronically inflamed.
Both conditions are corrected under local anaesthetic as day case procedures, using techniques to tighten and reposition the lower eyelid. Results are durable.
Chalazion and eyelid cyst removal
A chalazion is a chronic sterile granuloma (a firm lump) formed within a meibomian gland in the eyelid. Unlike a stye, which is an acute infection, a chalazion is not infected — it forms when a blocked meibomian gland secretion becomes walled off by the surrounding tissue. Chalazia often resolve spontaneously with warm compresses, but persistent ones require surgical drainage.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic. A small clamp is placed over the eyelid to control bleeding, a tiny incision is made on the inner surface of the lid (so no visible scar), and the contents are curetted. The procedure takes 10–15 minutes and patients go home immediately. The eyelid will be bruised and swollen for 1–2 weeks.
Lacrimal surgery — watering eye
The lacrimal system drains tears from the surface of the eye through the tear ducts into the nose. When this drainage pathway is blocked, tears overflow onto the cheek — a condition called epiphora.
In adults, blockage most commonly occurs at the nasolacrimal sac (dacryocystitis) and can be associated with recurrent infections. Treatment is dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) — a procedure to create a new drainage pathway between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity, bypassing the obstruction. DCR can be performed via a small skin incision (external DCR) or endoscopically through the nose (endonasal DCR).
In babies, the nasolacrimal duct is often temporarily blocked at birth (congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction) — causing a watering and sticky eye in the first weeks of life. This resolves spontaneously in the vast majority of cases by 12 months. If it persists, a simple probing procedure under brief general anaesthetic opens the blockage.
Orbital surgery
The orbit (eye socket) is the bony cavity within the skull that houses the eyeball, extraocular muscles, optic nerve, and supporting fat. Orbital conditions requiring surgery include orbital fractures (following facial trauma), thyroid eye disease (Graves' ophthalmopathy) causing proptosis (bulging eye), orbital tumours, and orbital decompression.
Orbital surgery requires the combined expertise of an oculoplastic specialist — understanding both the ophthalmic and the reconstructive surgical aspects. Urgent referral is needed for suspected orbital cellulitis, acute orbital haematoma, and traumatic optic neuropathy.
NHS vs private oculoplastic surgery in Yorkshire
NHS funding for oculoplastic surgery is available where a clear functional indication exists — for example, entropion causing corneal damage, ptosis causing visual field restriction, or ectropion causing persistent corneal exposure. Purely cosmetic procedures (cosmetic blepharoplasty, cosmetic ptosis correction in the absence of visual field loss) are not NHS-funded.
Private oculoplastic surgery with Mr Mohyudin at Spire Elland Hospital offers rapid access (typically 1–2 weeks), named-consultant care, the full range of procedures including cosmetic indications, and flexible appointment times.
Oculoplastic surgery costs in Yorkshire
- Upper blepharoplasty (both lids): from £3,000
- Lower blepharoplasty: from £3,000
- Ptosis repair (one lid): from £2,500
- Entropion or ectropion repair: from £2,000
- Chalazion removal (single): from £500
- Combined procedures: prices on consultation
Why choose an oculoplastic surgeon for eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery is offered by both plastic surgeons and ophthalmic surgeons. Oculoplastic surgeons are ophthalmic specialists first — they understand the anatomy of the eyelid and orbit from an ocular perspective, are trained to protect the eye during surgery, and can manage any ocular complications (such as dry eye, corneal exposure, or diplopia) that may arise. For surgery so close to the eye, the subspecialty-trained oculoplastic surgeon offers the most appropriate combination of skills.
Mr Mohyudin completed his oculoplastic fellowship at a major regional centre and performs a high volume of eyelid procedures annually across his NHS and private practice.
To book a consultation, call Spire Elland Hospital on 01422 324000. No GP referral is required for self-pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between oculoplastic surgery and plastic surgery on the eyelids?
Both can address the eyelids, but an oculoplastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) first, with additional training in surgical procedures around the eye. This means they are uniquely qualified to manage the interaction between eyelid surgery and the eye itself — including protecting the cornea, managing dry eye, and addressing functional problems. Plastic surgeons approach the eyelids from a general facial reconstructive perspective. For functional eyelid conditions (ptosis, entropion, ectropion) and for surgery very close to the eye, an oculoplastic specialist is recommended.
Is oculoplastic surgery available on the NHS?
Functional oculoplastic surgery — where there is a genuine clinical indication — is available on the NHS. This includes entropion repair (inward-turning lid causing corneal damage), ectropion repair, ptosis repair where field of vision is affected, and eyelid reconstruction after skin cancer excision. Cosmetic procedures are not NHS-funded.
How long does oculoplastic surgery take to recover from?
Recovery time depends on the procedure. Minor procedures like chalazion removal have a recovery of 1–2 weeks. Blepharoplasty and ptosis repair: visible bruising and swelling for 2 weeks, most people feel socially comfortable at 10–14 days. More extensive lid or orbital surgery: 3–6 weeks. All oculoplastic procedures are performed as day cases — you go home the same day.
Can entropion and ectropion be treated without surgery?
Temporary measures (taping the lid, lubricating drops, botulinum toxin) can provide short-term relief but do not permanently correct the underlying eyelid laxity. Surgery is the definitive treatment for both entropion and ectropion. It is performed under local anaesthetic as a short day case procedure with durable results.
Is a watering eye always caused by a blocked tear duct?
Not always. A persistently watering eye in adults can be caused by nasolacrimal duct obstruction (blocked tear duct) but also by dry eye (paradoxically causing reflex watering), ectropion, eyelid malposition, ocular surface inflammation, or reduced tear drainage pump function. Assessment by an ophthalmologist or oculoplastic specialist is needed to identify the cause before treatment.
Mr Mohamed Mohyudin
MBChB BSc MSc FRCOphth CCT — Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Spire Elland Hospital, Yorkshire. GMC 7039600.
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