Basal cell carcinoma:
The most common type of cancerous lesion that emerges from the eyelid skin. It most often presents as a reddish-pink bump in the eyelid margin and originates from skin chronically exposed to the sun and UV light radiation.
Bell’s palsy:
Sudden weakness of the facial muscles on one side of the face. It is hypothesized to be viral or inflammatory in nature. However, the term Bell’s palsy should be reserved for facial paralysis of an unknown cause and must be distinguished from other causes of facial paralysis, such as trauma, surgery, or autoimmune disease.
Blepharitis:
A general term used to describe inflammation of the eyelid. Depending on the area involved, it is classified as anterior or posterior blepharitis. Anterior blepharitis affects the eyelid margin and lash follicles. It is often associated with Demodex folliculorum, a mite that grows at the base of the eyelashes. Posterior blepharitis is a common cause of dry eye and is often associated with rosacea.
Blepharoplasty:
The functional or cosmetic surgical modification of eyelid tissues. An upper blepharoplasty aims to correct eyelid hooding and excess skin, while a lower blepharoplasty treats under-eye bags and wrinkles.
Blepharochalasis:
A rare disease of unknown cause characterized by recurrent episodes of severe swelling in the upper eyelids. It should not be confused with dermatochalasis, which is age-related laxity of the upper eyelid skin.
Blepharoptosis:
Also known simply as ptosis. It is the drooping of one or both upper eyelids caused by a congenital or acquired weakness of the levator muscle or its aponeurosis. Most acquired ptosis results from aging but can also be related to neurological, muscular, and autoimmune diseases.
Botulinum toxin:
A bacterium-derived protein produced by Clostridium botulinum that acts as a neurotoxin. Its application to facial muscles decreases their tone and weakens them temporarily (flaccid paralysis). Reducing muscle tone is beneficial when treating facial spasms, such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasms. Weakening these muscles will also reduce facial expression lines, making this one of the most common uses of botulinum toxin.
Brow descent:
The descent of the male and female eyebrow and its underlying fat pad below the normal anatomical position. It is, by definition, an acquired condition since its presence in childhood would be referred to as a low eyebrow. Brow descent may result from aging, trauma, or facial palsy.
Brow lift:
Any procedure, surgical or otherwise, which elevates the eyebrow anatomical unit.
Browplasty:
A surgical procedure used to elevate a low brow. It may be performed for cosmetic or functional reasons. A browplasty can be done unilaterally, as in patients with a drooping brow due to facial paralysis or on both sides, which includes lifting the entire forehead (cosmetic brow lift).
Brow ptosis:
Drooping of one or both eyebrows, generally due to aging. Brow ptosis is a common cause of lateral eyelid hooding in men and women. It must be distinguished from excess eyelid skin, called dermatochalasis, since an upper eyelid blepharoplasty will not correct brow ptosis.
Buccal fat:
A well-defined fat pad pertaining to the deep fat compartments of the midface. Buccal fat is located in the cheek hollow area, below the cheekbones, and above the jawbone. Because of its deep location in the cheek, it is most easily accessed through an incision on the inside of the mouth.
Buccal fat removal:
A cosmetic surgical procedure that improves cheek contour by removing the deep fat pads of the cheek, called buccal fat. It is indicated in patients with full or chubby cheeks to sculpt the cheek hollows and enhance cheekbone prominence.
Bruising of the eyelid:
A bluish-purple discoloration of the eyelid skin due to the pooling of blood products or hematoma formation after trauma or surgical intervention. A bruise may change hue over time – from purple to green to yellow – as the blood products are degraded and absorbed.
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