Private oculoplastic service in Glasgow

You may be suitable for oculoplastic surgery at Eye Care Scotland for a number of reasons. Oculoplastic surgery can be split into two distinct categories – clinical and cosmetic. There are numerous reasons why you may require oculoplastic surgery for clinical reasons. Conditions such as ptosis, entropion, and ectropion, all require surgery to improve a patient’s vision and indeed quality of life.

Furthermore, conditions such as chalazions may also require oculoplastic surgery to alleviate pain and swelling from the patient’s eye, improving your overall wellbeing.
Oculoplastic surgery can also be performed on patients for cosmetic reasons – largely for blepharoplasty procedures to remove skin from either or both eyelids, as well as eyebrow lifts and eye bag removal surgery.

Oculoplastic surgery includes a number of surgical procedures of the eye and the surrounding structures.

Our dedicated Consultant Ophthalmologists who specialise in Oculoplastics routinely perform highly complex surgeries and can provide advice and guidance on various conditions such as watery eyes, lumps, bumps and skin-tags on the eyelids or surrounding facial area, rodent ulcers and other eyelid cancers, bulging eyes (proptosis) and the inability to close eyes (facial nerve/bells-palsy). More so, other conditions such as eyelid swelling, eyelids turning in or out, excess eyelid skin or droopy eyelids, thyroid related eye problems and any other eyelid, tear, drainage or eye socket problems.

The patient will be given local anaesthetic before the procedure. Total treatment time is dependent on the type of procedure; however, average total treatment time is around 30 minutes. Following the procedure, the patient is asked to remain in the clinic for approximately an hour. Upon discharge, the patient will be provided with the appropriate course of anti-inflammatory medication and antibiotics.

Oculoplastic surgery can be performed as a day case, meaning patients can return home the same day. There are a number of oculoplastic surgery options available at Eye Care Scotland.

Chalazion Removal

A chalazion is type of eyelid cyst which is a result of a blockage in the ducts of the meibomian gland which produces the oil to lubricate your eyes. A chalazion is a small lump that forms on your eyelid which is often painless – however it can cause discomfort, redness and swelling. More so, dependent on the location of your chalazion, your vision may be affected. Aside from functional issues, you may feel your self-confidence in your appearance is affected by a chalazion, and as such may also want it removed for cosmetic purposes.

Chalazion removal is a short minimally invasive procedure which can be carried out in an outpatient setting by your Consultant Ophthalmologist at Eye Care Scotland. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic. Your Consultant Ophthalmologist makes a small incision on the inside of your eyelid to access the chalazion before the contents of the chalazion are removed and the area is cleaned. Most often, the incision does not require stitches. 

Eyelid Lesions

An eyelid lesion is a growth or cyst that can develop across different areas of your eyes and is very common. Eyelid lesions are extremely common, and those with an eyelid cyst can vary between asymptomatic and symptomatic with tenderness and pain. Whether it be a skin tag, cyst, or stye, most eye lesions are non-cancerous (benign) and unlikely to impair your vision. However, it is important to have your lesion assessed by your GP or Consultant to ensure it is not cancerous (malignant), or a pre-cancerous growth. 

Lesions are often of the canthus. The canthus is the inner corner of the eye where your eyelids meet. These lesions can be extremely uncomfortable for you, especially the larger they are. Sometimes they can prevent you from opening your eyes properly. Fortunately, these removal of this type of lesion is usually a straightforward process. 

Your Consultant Ophthalmologist may perform a biopsy of your lesion to determine whether your lesion is cancerous. If so, most often skin cancers around the eyes are basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Sometimes in rare occasions, melanoma, a more dangerous form of skin cancer, can occur around the eyes.

Symptoms of non-cancerous (benign) lesions are usually minimal, unless they are scratched or caught on something such as a piece of clothing for example. In these cases, your eyelid lesion may feel uncomfortable and even bleed. A benign eyelid lesion is usually flesh-coloured. A cancerous (malignant) eyelid lesion may change in appearance. Symptoms of these lesions include a change in the appearance of your eyelid, swelling or thickening of your eyelid, pain and discomfort, and a skin-coloured or brown growth which spreads across your eyelid. 

Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty surgery can be carried out for either functional or cosmetic purposes. The goal of blepharoplasty surgery is to remove excess skin and fat from around your eyelids. As such, the surgery is appropriate for a variety of reasons including affected vision from loose skin and wrinkles around the eyes, as well as reducing the effects of tiredness, and improving perceived facial symmetry. You can have a blepharoplasty on your upper lids, your lower lids, or both.

Ptosis Surgery

Ptosis surgery – or blepharoptosis – is surgery aimed to correct droopy eyelids, often caused in one or both eyes by the muscles around your eyes stretching and weakening with age. Again, this surgery can either be undertaken for functional or cosmetic purposes, or both. Your Consultant Ophthalmologist removes excess skin or muscle from along your eyelid creases in order to lift the eyelids themselves.

You may require ptosis surgery for a variety of reasons included impeded vision, difficulty opening your eyes fully, tired or fatigues eyes, or an asymmetrical eyelid appearance. Whilst some people with ptosis may not need treatment, you may find your symptoms become uncomfortable and as such require surgery. 

Ectropion and Entropion Surgery

Entropion and ectropion are two separate conditions affecting your eyelids in which they interrupt their normal functioning. With entropion, your eyelid turns inwards and causes the eyelashes to rub against the surface of your eye. Leaving this condition untreated can result in scratches on the eye’s surface (corneal abrasion), scarring, and even loss of vision. Ectropion is the opposite where they eyelid droops outwards, meaning the upper and lower eyelids do not meet properly. This can lead to problems with tear drainage resulting in redness, irritation, excessive watering, and dry eyes, as well as also enhancing the risk of contracting eye infections like conjunctivitis.

Entropion and ectropion surgery is often carried out using local anaesthetic during an approximately 30 minute procedure. Your Consultant Ophthalmologist will remove a small section of your eyelid where the skin is its loosest. Should there be tightening of the skin or scar tissue, this too will be removed, and your Consultant Ophthalmologist will potentially be required to use a skin graft to replace the tissue removed. 

Epiphora (Dacryocystorhinostomy)

Epiphora is a condition resulting in excessive watering of the eyes and tearing. The root cause of this condition is often blocked tear ducts, or an imbalance in the relationship between tear production and drainage. However, there can be other contributing factors including chronic nasal and sinus inflammation, conjunctivitis and trauma. Epiphora often affects older people, with symptoms including light sensitivity, blurred vision, soreness in and around the eyes, and red bloodshot eyeballs. The purpose of epiphora surgery – or a dacryocystorhinostomy - is to correct the underlying cause of your excessive tearing.

Epiphora surgery is when your Consultant Ophthalmologist creates a new path for your tears to drain between your eyes and your nose. There are two methods of performing this surgery, either externally through the skin or endoscopically. At Eye Care Scotland, we offer the former method, carrying out the surgery externally through the skin.

During an external dacryocystorhinostomy, your oculoplastic surgeon creates an opening from the lacrimal sac to your nasal cavity. The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin, in the area under your eye and next to your nose. Through this incision, your surgeon creates a small opening in the bone beneath. This opening then connects your lacrimal sac and your nasal cavity. The surgeon leaves a small tube there to help keep the new tear duct open.

Eyelid Reconstruction

You may require eyelid reconstruction as a result of trauma or a tumour removal. Eyelid reconstruction is a specialised procedure offered at Eye Care Scotland and varies in complexity relative to your individual requirements.

At your initial consultation with us at Eye Care Scotland, your Consultant Ophthalmologist will discuss with you a range of diagnostic tests and scans that we may need to carry out. These include:

• Intraocular pressure check
• Optometrist assessment including visual acuity test

After these tests and scans are complete, your Consultant Ophthalmologist will then outline a personalised patient pathway plan for you, discussing your options regarding your oculoplastic treatment. Each option will be presented and explained in depth in coming to the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Prices for oculoplastic surgery start from:

• Ptosis – £4,527
• Entropion – £2,450
• Ectropion – £2,450
• Excision of Lesion of Eyelid (chalazion) (outpatient) – £600
• Excision of Lesion of Orbit (GA) – £4,074
• Biopsy of Lesion of Eyelid (outpatient) – £900
• Blepharoplasty (upper or lower) (unilateral) – £2,890
• Blepharoplasty (upper)(bilateral) – £3,085
• Blepharoplasty (lower)(bilateral) – £3,585
• Blepharoplasty (upper and lower)(bilateral) – £4,071
• Dacryocystorhinostomy (GA) – £3,929
• Reconstruction of eyelid (GA) – £4,604
• Punctoplasty – £1,914

We also offer flexible finance through our dedicated finance provider, Chrysalis Finance. Patients have the ability to spread the cost of their treatment over up to 5 years. If patients choose to spread the cost over 10 months, then these payments will be interest free. Should patients choose to pay over a period of 12 - 60 months, 14.9% APR will apply. To find out more about our flexible finance, please visit here.

*All prices are per eye and based on treatment under local anaesthetic unless stated otherwise. These are just guide prices and will differ from person to person because our treatment packages are all personalised. For more information, give us a call.

Our consultants are supported by a full clinical team of optometrists, orthoptists, ophthalmic nurses and ophthalmic practitioners - all of whom play a vital part in ensuring patients are well informed and cared for throughout their journey.

Our entire patient pathway takes place within a clinical environment, and we work to the highest standard of governance whilst following stringent processes to ensure quality outcomes for patients.

With enhanced patient pathways and streamlined consultation-to-treatment journeys at the heart of Eye Care Scotland at Ross Hall Clinic Braehead you can be confident in receiving the highest levels of care throughout your whole journey with us - from diagnoses to treatment and right through to your recovery.