Dr. Sneed received fellowship training at the world-renowned Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. He is a fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (www.asoprs.org), a group of approximately 400 ophthalmologists who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of eyelid, orbital facial, and tear duct disorders, both cosmetic and functional.
Oculofacial Plastic Surgery: This specialized area of ophthalmology manages the deformities and abnormalities of the eyelids, the lacrimal (tear) system, the orbit (the bony cavity surrounding the eye), and the adjacent face.
Blepharoplasty and Brow Lifting: At times the excess skin in the upper lids and/or eyebrows will obstruct vision and affect daily activities. If certain insurance criteria are met, surgical correction is "covered by insurance" and subject to deductible and copay. If the patient does not meet the insurance criteria, but still desires to have surgical correction of their eyelids and/or eyebrows, options for self-pay surgery are discussed.
Blepharoplasty is the third most commonly performed self-pay surgical procedure in patients over the age of 35. In 2012, more than 200,000 patients underwent blepharoplasty. It is a procedure which generally takes less than an hour to perform (longer if both upper and lower lids are done at the same time). Patients may resume most activities within a day or two. The eyelids are bruised and swollen for usually 10-14 days after the surgery with most of the swelling in the first 4-5 days. Makeup may be applied to cover bruising on skin away from the incisions 1-2 days after the surgery. Risks of the procedures include but are not limited to, bleeding, infection, and inflammation. Severe bleeding may result in loss of vision, but this is very rare. At your office visit, Dr. Sneed will cover in detail the procedures, indications, risks, benefits and any questions you may have. Financing options are available for self-pay products and procedures. His approach is to educate patients as to the options and let the patient make the decision as to what is best on an individual basis.
CO2 DEKA Laser Resurfacing: As the skin ages, elasticity is lost and wrinkles develop. This laser helps reduce the wrinkles and improve the skin tone of the eyelids and face. CO2 laser resurfacing works by removing the outermost layer of skin (similar to a sunburn). The underlying skin cells grow in over 1-2 weeks and provide a smoother, softer, more elastic skin surface. Skin type is very important as some patients react differently to laser treatment. Dr. Sneed will review the indications to determine whether or not this procedure is right for you.
Botulinum Toxins: BOTOX® is an injectable neuromodulator initially used by ophthalmologists in the treatment of benign essential blepharospasm (uncontrollable spasm of the eyelid muscles). It was found to reduce wrinkles in the skin where the medication was injected. This led to cosmetic BOTOX® injections which are among the most widely done cosmetic procedures in the country. The injections take a few minutes to perform with lasting effects for 3-6 months or longer. As with any procedure, the indications, risks, complications and benefits need to be discussed in detail between surgeon and patient. Dr. Sneed has years of experience using BOTOX®, Dysport, and other neuromodulators.
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