This month patients asked: “Are Ophthalmologists trained in facial aesthetics?”
Dr. Patel answered:
Yes – Ophthalmologists are surgeons who specialize in surgery of the eyes and eyelids. The field of Ophthalmology is considered one of the four core specialties in Facial Aesthetics. Other specialties include Facial Plastic Surgery, ENT, and Dermatology. Although all healthcare providers, including family doctors, are permitted to perform Botox and fillers with adequate training, a physician trained in a core specialty is truly experienced and skill in the art of facial aesthetics. An interesting fact that most don’t know is that Ophthalmologists were the first physicians to begin injecting Botox for aesthetic purposes!
Generally speaking, aging changes commonly start around the eyes – frown lines, crow’s feet, redundant eyelid skin, and under-eye bags. After four years of medical school and one year Internal Medicine, Ophthalmologists spend an additional three years evaluating and treating theses aging changes in and around the eyes both non-invasively as well as surgically.
Although the breadth and depth of that experience can vary, I had the privilege of training with renowned Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeons, Drs. Murray Meltzer and Ebhi Elahi, at the prestigious Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. This experience allowed me to have a keen and acute understanding of facial anatomy, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, which ultimately translates into excellent results with utmost safety!
