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Opportunities expected to grow for oculoplastic surgeons
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We have two fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons in our group at Minnesota Eye Consultants. Both completed 2-year American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery- certified fellowships.
The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) is dedicated to promoting the highest-quality standards among ophthalmic plastic surgeons and carefully oversees the ASOPRS-certified fellowships, which are quite demanding in scope and duration.
While any ophthalmologist can perform ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, the majority of procedures in urban areas are performed by ASOPRS members who have completed certified specialty training. At present there are approximately 550 members of ASOPRS, a smaller number than those who have completed fellowship training in cornea, glaucoma or retina.
In general, these practitioners are in high demand and extremely busy with practices that include both functional and aesthetic cosmetic procedures. The majority of their work includes surgery on or around the eyelids, including surgery for entropion, ectropion, ptosis, blepharoplasty, brow lift, and management of lid and periocular tumors. They also manage diseases of the lacrimal system and perform the majority of dacryocystorhinostomies and the like. Trauma, including lid lacerations and blow-out fractures, thyroid eye disease and trichiasis/distichiasis are other common procedures.
Much of this work is functional in nature and covered by third-party payers, but some is cosmetic and subject to patient pay, especially the area of injections of neuromodulators such as botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. The patient who is seeking cosmetic facial work must choose between a vast array of providers, including board-certified and non-board-certified plastic surgeons, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, ENT specialists and, increasingly, general surgeons and general practitioners who have found aesthetic surgery an attractive alternative to usual practice.
While outstanding practitioners can be found in every category, the ophthalmologist with 2 years of subspecialty training in an ASOPRS-certified fellowship is, in my opinion, uniquely trained to excel in managing patients with periocular plastic surgery needs. Those ophthalmologists who wish to include oculoplastic surgery in their offering because of rural practice location or personal desire will find the ASOPRS courses, journal and its members to be an excellent source of training and continuing medical education.
The demand for functional and aesthetic plastic surgery can be expected to grow rapidly as the 78 million baby boomers age, and generations X and Y are also manifesting strong interest, especially in neuromodulators and dermal fillers to enhance their perception of beauty. We have found the busy anterior segment practice to be a good home for our two oculoplastic surgeons, but many practice in university-based training centers, large multispecialty practices and single subspecialty practices of one or more. As I look to the future, I see the opportunity for the oculoplastic surgeon to be extraordinary, and I encourage interested ophthalmology residents to consider this subspecialty opportunity carefully.