Tag Dr. Jennifer Murdock

Orbital trauma refers to a spectrum of physical injuries, diseases, and congenital disorders that hurt the orbital area. Physical injuries and lesions on the eyelids may require orbital trauma care. Conditions such as ptosis and blepharospasms can worsen overall eye health when left untouched by surgical intervention. Depending on your individual needs, we will recommend the best avenue of treatment. 

What treatments are available for orbital trauma at the office of our oculofacial reconstructive surgeon? This quick guide will discuss specific forms of orbital trauma and their most effective treatment options. 

What is Orbital Trauma?

The area around your eyes is susceptible to damage. A blow to the eye can cause a myriad of orbital issues, leading to physical and medical trauma. A car accident or a collision with a wall, for example, can cause a variety of problems around the eyes. 

The most common type of orbital trauma is an orbital fracture. Orbital fractures occur when the fragile bony structure surrounding your eye is hit with such a force that it breaks. Such impact can cause a fracture that “blows out” your orbital bone and causes it to fall out of alignment. While some minor cases of orbital trauma may not need surgical intervention, anyone dealing with symptoms of pain and swelling due to an orbital fracture should receive treatment right away.

Orbital Trauma Treatment Options

The first step to determine what course of treatment is best for you is to schedule a consultation with our surgeon. During your appointment, give as many details as possible about the type of injury you are dealing with. Aside from a bony fracture, orbital trauma can also indicate underlying issues such as ptosis or Graves’ Disease. The doctor will want to rule out as many causes as possible to find the best solution. 

At the office of Dr. Jennifer Murdock, we typically offer three distinct treatments for orbital trauma: 

Reconstruction

Full reconstruction is usually only used as a last resort, necessary only in cases of extreme emergency trauma. During reconstructive surgery, the surgeon uses various techniques, such as bone grafting and mesh reconstruction, to create a stable orbital structure. 

Reconstructive surgery can also involve orbital decompression. Certain conditions, such as emphysema, can put undue pressure on the orbital area, causing significant pain and swelling behind the eye. Orbital decompression releases some of this pressure, creating a larger space for your eyes to rest in their proper place. 

Orbital Implants

You might have gone through an injury or illness that has caused your eye to be removed. If you are missing an eye, you can receive an orbital implant in your eye sockets. This natural-looking implant can support the structure of your orbital bone while also providing great aesthetic appeal. 

Orbital implants are a recommended course of action for anyone struggling to regain confidence after losing an eye. We can carefully create and place a custom implant that will improve your facial structure and give you confidence the next time you look in the mirror.

Fracture Repair

A more common type of orbital trauma surgery that we provide includes fracture repair. Fractures can range from mild to severe, so it is important to check with your doctor first to see if surgery is the correct way to go. Major orbital fractures happen when part of the orbital bone breaks away from the rest of it, creating a spatial gap. Orbital surgery can use techniques like skin and bone grafting to create a support around the broken piece of bone.

Reconstruction from Previous Surgery

Orbital surgery requires a high level of precision and expertise. From time to time, a surgeon can make a mistake, leaving you with less-than-favorable results. Your botched surgery might also result from an injury that occurred during the healing process. Whatever the reason for your current dissatisfaction with the state of your orbital bone, you can opt for reconstructive surgery. 

Find Treatment for Your Orbital Trauma Today

Whether your orbital trauma is new or has been building up over a long period, appropriate treatments are available to fit your specific needs. Get informed about orbital trauma and the different types of injuries and conditions that might warrant the need for surgery. 

Visit Dr. Jennifer Murdock, a top-rated oculofacial reconstructive surgeon in Miami, to schedule your consultation. Orbital trauma only worsens the longer it is left untreated, so it is a good idea to act fast. Get both reconstructive and cosmetic repair to leave you feeling refreshed, healthy, and whole again. 

Nasolacrimal surgery is a procedure that helps patients with tear duct blockage. If you notice that you cannot properly cry or your eyes are constantly watering without leaking, you might be dealing with a blocked duct. There are a few reasons why you might be experiencing nasolacrimal obstruction. It is essential to identify what is causing this unhealthy buildup. After speaking with our surgeon, you will know if you should get nasolacrimal surgery.

Nasolacrimal surgery should be performed by a reconstructive plastic surgeon who has plenty of experience with this procedure. Learn more about the common symptoms and causes of tear duct blockage and find out what nasolacrimal surgery entails by reading the article below. 

Causes of Tear Duct Obstruction

Your nasolacrimal duct is responsible for the release of tears, which drain toxins and other debris from your eye. Tears are necessary if you want to keep your eyes and ducts as healthy as you can. While this does not mean you need to start crying every day, it can be a cause for concern if you cannot cry at all. 

Your tear ducts might be obstructed for a number of reasons. First, you might be born with a congenital condition. It is common for babies to be born with blocked tear ducts, for example. This usually is not a cause for concern since the tear ducts become naturally unblocked within a year or so. However, you might have also had a physical injury or trauma that damaged this part of your face. Certain ailments and even some medical treatments can also cause the tear ducts to get blocked. 

Symptoms of Nasolacrimal Blockage

If you are struggling with tear duct blockage, you should go down this list of symptoms to see if your case is so severe that it warrants nasolacrimal surgery. There is a difference between finding it difficult to cry and having a real blockage that allows debris to build up in your tear ducts. 

Some of the most common symptoms of a blocked tear duct include: 

• Redness and puffiness around the eyes, especially the lower eyelids
• Your eyes are constantly tearing up.
• Your vision gets blurry.
• There is mucous coming from your eyes.
• You are consistently swollen or irritated around the eyes.
• You cannot properly blink.
• You get eye infections often, including conjunctivitis (pinkeye) 

If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Depending on how long you have dealt with these issues, you might need urgent treatment. 

What Nasolacrimal Surgery Entails 

The doctor will perform a series of tests to properly diagnose you with blocked nasolacrimal ducts. This usually includes eye irrigation, vision tests, and other types of imaging. After determining the extent of your blockage, a treatment plan will be suggested. Antibiotic eye drops, and rest can sometimes relieve the blockage. In other cases, nasolacrimal surgery might be necessary. 

Dacryocystorhinostomy

Tear duct surgery, also called DCR, works in one of two ways. It can either repair a blocked tear duct or create an alternate pathway for tears to flow down, essentially solving the blockage problem. You can speak with your doctor about whether or not you want to bypass your current blockage or get rid of it completely. 

This surgical procedure requires anesthesia during surgery. Your surgeon may use external techniques or may need the assistance of a tube that goes up your nose during the procedure. Depending on the severity of your needs, you can avoid visible scar tissue as soon as you are healed. 

Recovery Time

Once you wake up from your procedure, you will feel a little uncomfortable. There may be gauze in your nose to prevent bleeding and other bandages around your face. You should be able to go home on the same day. Make sure you take your prescribed antibiotics and eyedrops home with you, as you should start with them right away. 

As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions following surgery, you should have a quick and easy recovery. Most of our patients heal up within a few weeks, boasting beautiful results and enjoying your newly repaired nasolacrimal ducts. 

Fix Your Tear Ducts with Nasolacrimal Surgery Today

The symptoms of a blocked tear duct can be frustrating and painful. If you are tired of consistently swelling and tearing up, it might be time to unblock your tear duct with our innovative surgical procedures. Visit Dr. Jennifer Murdock’s office to learn more about tear duct blockage and the appropriate treatment plan for you. 

At the office of Dr. Jennifer Murdock, we value the individuality of our patients from all across the world. There are so many reasons why you may be looking to get plastic surgery, and we can help you find a treatment to accommodate any of those needs. In some cases, people are looking to repair or reconstruct a part of their body that has been damaged over time. Today, your oculofacial plastic surgeon in Miami will take some time to highlight a few of the most common types of reconstructive surgery. You may find that you are an eligible candidate for one of these procedures. If any of them interest you, reach out to us to learn more about them. 

Reconstructive Breast Procedures

There are plenty of plastic surgery procedures that seek to improve the form and functionality of the breasts. Of the most common types of reconstructive surgery, breast reconstruction is possibly the most popular for both cosmetic and medical reasons. Breast reconstruction might entail a repair or a replacement of existing breast implants. Perhaps your saline implants started to leak, or an injury caused them to deform. 

You may also need to reduce the natural size of your breasts. A breast reduction is useful for anyone experiencing pain related to the size of their breasts. Sometimes, a small amount of breast tissue is removed in the process, though other patients may be looking for a more dramatic type of reconstruction. 

Facial Reconstruction

Facial reconstruction is available for people who have experienced trauma in or around the face. For example, tumor development on the face can cause leftover damage after it is removed. Facial reconstruction surgery removes damaged skin and rejuvenates the remaining skin to help you heal. 

Facial reconstruction can also strengthen the jaw, cheekbones, or mouth muscles. Your surgeon will utilize various techniques to ensure they meet your personal needs and aesthetic preferences. 

Reconstructive Hand Procedures

Reconstructive surgery offers resources to help with common hand problems, including osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Your hands contain many small and complex bones, which work together to complete motor functions. However, this also makes them more prone to damage and disrepair. Whether you have developed a painful condition over time or you have lost some flexibility due to an injury, you might be in the market for one of our reconstructive hand surgeries. 

Surgery to Repair Previous Surgical Results

One of the biggest reasons patients may look for reconstructive surgery with Dr. Murdock is to fix botched results from a previous reconstruction attempt. Many people find that their previous surgery results are no longer pleasing, especially as they age. Others might have dealt with injury or poor health that caused the results of their first surgery to become distorted. 

No matter what happened with your previous plastic surgery experiences, it is possible to go through much-needed repair. You deserve to be treated with a customized plan of care, covering all of your reconstruction needs on almost any part of the body. 

Why Reconstructive Surgery Matters

Many people tend to lump reconstructive surgery in with other cosmetic surgery options. A big difference that sets reconstructive surgery apart from other types of surgery is that there are medical reasons for proceeding with the procedure. While many reconstructive surgery treatments offer aesthetically pleasing results, that is not the main goal. 

Reconstruction is designed to help those dealing with physical defects, damage from diseases, or other problems with bodily development. Reconstructive surgery is also a viable option for individuals seeking gender-affirming care. Since reconstructive surgery can usually be classified into a medical category, you can work with a health insurance plan for better financial options. 

Contact Dr. Jennifer Murdock Today 

You deserve to feel good about your body, both inside and out. Reconstructive surgery comes in many forms and is readily available. Whether you have a minor issue such as wrinkling skin or sagging breasts or you need serious reconstructive repair to fix problems with arthritis, there is a surgical option available to you. The best way to get started is to contact our friendly team at Dr. Jennifer Murdock’s office and schedule a consultation. 

You can also look at our dynamic before-and-after photos to get an idea of how your reconstructive surgery results might turn out. You can read patient testimonials and see if Dr. Murdock would be a good match. Discuss your needs with us and find a long-lasting solution to repair your ailments for good!