Sloan, Brian H

Definitions

As people age, the lens of the eye can become ‘cloudy’, covered with an opaque film, affecting sight, eventually causing total loss of sight. Cataract surgery involves removal of the entireclouded lens (the cataract), usually followed by replacement of the lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) made of plastic, silicone, acrylic or other material. The operation typically takes about an hour, is done under local anaesthetic only, and may be done as an outpatient procedure. Normally, the ophthalmologist (eye specialist) makes a very small incision and inserts an ultrasonic tip which, vibrating at high speed, breaks up the cataract without damaging surrounding tissue. The remains of the cataract are then suctioned out.moreFacial plastic surgery includes cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic procedures include rhytidectomy or ‘facelift’, involving removing wrinkles and sagging from the face; browplasty, a‘brow lift’ or ‘forehead lift’, which lifts eyebrows and smoothens forehead skin; and midface lift or ‘cheek lift’, which involves tightening of the cheeks. Other procedures often accompanying facial plastic surgery are lip enhancement, improving the lips’ fullness; and rhinoplasty or ‘nose job’, reshaping of the nose. Reconstructive plastic surgery is usually performed to improve function, but it may be also done to make people appear more normal. It corrects impairments caused by burns; traumatic injuries, such as facial bone fractures and breaks; abnormalities present at birth, such as cleft palates or cleft lips; developmental abnormalities; infection and disease; and cancer or tumours.moreOphthalmology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye. This includes the area surrounding the eyes such as bones, muscles, eyelids and tear ducts.