Children can be affected by problems involving the tear ducts, eyelids, and orbit. Congenital tear duct obstruction is tearing and/or discharge that occurs in one or both eyes soon after birth. It can usually be treated medically, but sometimes requires surgery to open the tear duct. Children can also have droopy eyelids apparent soon after birth, and the drooping may need to be addressed surgically to allow development of normal vision. Additionally, children can develop both benign and malignant tumors around and behind the eye, and these need to be urgently treated. Our surgeons are trained to address all of these types of pediatric oculoplastic problems.

In children, oculoplastic surgery not only helps restore visual function, it enhances their self-image. Some of the signs and symptoms include:

• Tearing of one or both eyes with or without discharge
• Matting together of the eyelids upon awakening
• Drooping of one or both eyelids
• Swelling next to the nose and lower eyelid
• Swelling above the eyes are on the outside corner of the eye
• Bulging of the eye
• Displacement of the eye
• Bruising around the eyelids

By improving the function and appearance of the eyes, oculoplastic surgeries combine medicine and aesthetics. The goal of oculoplastic surgery is to restore a symmetrical appearance of the eyelids, orbit and face and, in some patients, to make a prosthetic eye comfortable.

At Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, part of the University of Miami Health System, our ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeons use their knowledge of ophthalmology, anatomy and tissue behavior to help children with a congenital deformity or disease or after an injury. They train first as ophthalmologists, then undergo advanced training in plastic and reconstructive surgery.