Congenital/Pediatric Oculoplastics
If your son or daughter was born with or developed an eye disorder or injury, the condition can be safely and effectively resolved by expert pediatric oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Mehryar (Ray) Taban. Your child does not have to endure the challenges of living with a congenital eye abnormality, such as a droopy eyelid, or a traumatic eye injury, such as a laceration to the eyelid. With a skilled congenital/pediatric oculoplastic surgery, it is possible to correct problems that involve the eyelids, eye sockets, and tear drainage systems in children.
Types of Congenital Eye Conditions and Abnormalities
If you suspect that your child has an eye condition that may have been present at birth or has recently developed, it’s important to meet with a qualified pediatric oculoplastic surgeon to evaluate whether treatment is necessary. Congenital or pediatric eye conditions and abnormalities that may occur include:
Ptosis/Congenital Droopy Eyelid
It is not uncommon for children to be born with a droopy eyelid, which is a condition also known as ptosis, as a result of poor development of the muscles that control the eyelids. Whether one or both eyelids is droopy, it is important to address the condition as soon as possible with a skilled oculoplastic surgeon in order to prevent potential damage or poor development of your child’s vision.
Congenital pediatric ptosis can cause mild to severe eyelid drooping. In mild cases, the drooping eyelid may only be visible when the child looks up, while in severe cases, the child may have to tilt their head back or raise their brow to lift the eyelid enough to see clearly from the affected eye. If moderate to severe cases of ptosis are not corrected, the obscured field of vision can eventually develop into a permanent condition called amblyopia or lazy eye.
Malpositioned Eyelids – Ectropion/Entropion
While rare, some children may be born with or develop malpositioned eyelids that either pull away from (ectropion) or curl in (entropion) toward the eye, often as a result of poor muscle or skin development of the lids. The eyelids are vital for protecting the eyes and keeping the delicate tissues hydrated and lubricated; abnormal positioning of the lid can be damaging and painful if left untreated.
Ectropion (turning out) can leave the eye open and vulnerable to dryness and debris, whereas entropion (turning in) can cause the eyelashes to scrape against the eye tissue, potentially leading to irritation or lacerations. An experienced pediatric oculoplastic surgeon can correct eyelid malposition with a simple surgical procedure that tightens the eyelid muscle or repositions the tissue.
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Congenital Excessive Tearing
A small percentage of children may be born with obstructed tear drainage ducts, which causes excessive tearing that runs down the cheeks, mucus discharge, and crustiness. Fortunately, the majority of children with obstructed tear drains grow out of it within their first year, however, it is important that your son or daughter be evaluated by an experienced pediatric oculoplastic surgeon. If the eye issue does not clear up, it is possible to open the blocked drain with surgery or by placing a stent in the drain to keep it open.
Pediatric Eyelid or Orbital Masses
Masses or tumors that develop within the orbital socket or around the eyelid can be either benign or non-cancerous. However, pediatric orbital or ocular masses, whether cancerous or not, can cause vision issues or disfigurement if left untreated. Ocular or orbital tumors may occur as a result of overgrowth of benign cells or malignant cells. Some eye masses occur as a result of an overgrowth of capillaries or reduced blood flow to a particular area (hemangiomas).
The treatment for orbital or ocular masses depends on whether the mass is cancerous or not. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, laser therapy, or cryotherapy (freezing the tumor tissue). As a board-certified pediatric oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Taban has years of experience treating eye conditions in young patients of all ages.
Pediatric Orbital Trauma
In the event that your son or daughter suffers an injury to his or her eye, it is important to seek medical treatment right away to prevent further trauma that may be irreparable. Depending on the severity of the eye injury, the injury may only need to be treated with pain medication, decongestants, and ice to reduce the swelling while the eye trauma heals on its own. In cases of severe eye trauma, such as an orbital fracture or blowout fracture, a pediatric oculoplastic surgeon may have to surgically reposition the bone, remove trapped tissue around the eye, or seal a fracture site with synthetic material.
Contact a Congenital Pediatric Oculoplastic Surgeon
If you are concerned about your son or daughter’s eyes, do not wait to schedule an appointment with the renowned oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Taban right away. Eye surgeon Dr. Taban is skilled and treating a range of eyelid and orbital abnormalities or injuries. Contact TabanMD online or by calling our Beverly Hills or Santa Barbara offices.
Next, read about Blepharospasm.