Sarasota Dermatology - DOCs Dermatology & Oculoplastic Consultants

Medical Conditions Affecting the Eyes, Eyelids, and Orbits

Dr. Brannan, as an Oculo-facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, is a highly specialized physician whose two year fellowship in ophthalmic facial plastic surgery uniquely qualifies him to evaluate and treat neurological, infectious, endocrinological and inflammatory conditions that can affect the eyelids and orbits.

Treatment of Eyelid Diseases

Blepharitis
Dry Eyes
Facial Spasms
Floppy Eyelid Syndrome
Lymphoma
Orbital Inflammation
Styes
Thyroid Eye Disease
Watery Eyes

Blepharitis

Low-grade inflammatory condition of the eyelids. This can cause eye irritation, dry eye symptoms, and crusting and redness of the eyelids. Control of symptoms can be achieved with a medical regimen.

Dry Eyes

Underproduction of tears or abnormal tear quality. Symptoms of dryness vary from mild to severe. It may also be related to inflammatory conditions. Treatment with ocular lubricants and anti-inflammatory medications improve symptoms. In severe cases, minor surgical procedures may be necessary to protect the eye surface.

Facial spasm

Uncontrollable twitching of the facial and eyelid muscles. This can cause an inability to open the eyes and irregular facial movements, but can be socially debilitating as well. After an evaluation, treatment may include Medical Botox® injections. Dr. Brannan has many years of experience with these rare diseases and has treated hundreds of patients.

Floppy Eyelid Syndrome

Eyelid laxity that results from abnormal sleeping position. It is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea, resulting in droopy, saggy eyelids and chronic eye irritation. Treatment in early stages is medical, but surgery may be needed to tighten the eyelids.

Lymphoma

Cancer of the lymphatic cells of the immune system and presents as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. It can appear in the eye socket, on the eye surface and/or on the eyelids. Once a diagnosis is made, care is coordinated with an Oncologist for radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Orbital Inflammation

Painful inflammatory condition of the orbit with sudden onset. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bulging of the eye, double vision and redness. Curative treatment is often medical once a diagnosis is made.

Styes

Inflammatory eyelid lesion, related to blepharitis. These result from oil gland blockage within the eyelid, resulting in pain, redness, swelling and discharge. Hot compresses and medical therapy are usually curative but lesions may take weeks to resolve. Persistent styes become ‘chalazia’ that require drainage and/o steroid injection in the office.

Thyroid Eye Disease

People with thyroid abnormalities may suffer from a cross reaction from the same antibodies that cause thyroid problems. Eye findings include bulging of the eyeballs (exophthalmos), retraction of the eyelids, double vision, vision loss, chronic redness and eye irritation. Medical care is coordinated with an Endocrinologist or Internist to control the thyroid disease. Once medically stable, surgery may be needed to correct malpositions of the eyelids or orbits.

Watery Eyes

Excessive tearing. Multiple factors, including eye irritation, eyelid malposition, and obstruction of the lacrimal outflow system can cause tearing. The most common cause is obstruction and the location of the blockage can be identified with a simple office procedure (lacrimal irrigation). Surgery is often needed to correct eyelid malposition and obstruction of the lacrimal passages. When surgery is not indicated, directed medical therapies can improve tearing.