Eyelid specialists, also known as oculoplastic surgeons, are medical doctors who have undergone four years of training in eye health and surgery (ophthalmology), followed by another two years of fellowship training in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures of the eyelids, orbit, and tear duct. Most oculoplastic surgeons have also trained in facial plastic surgery. Therefore, on average, a properly trained eyelid plastic surgeon has six years of additional training after completing medical school, making them the most qualified physicians to operate on your eyes and face. An oculoplastic surgeon must meet the highest standards of knowledge and surgical skills to be certified in this exclusive field.
At present, Costa Rica does not have any laws to prohibit doctors without formal training in eyelid plastic surgery from performing procedures outside their sphere of medical training. In fact, it is common to find general physicians and non-plastic surgeons from other medical specialties performing cosmetic operations for which they have not received adequate training. You may also find that a few of these doctors call themselves “cosmetic surgeons.”
Unfortunately, this has resulted in a rise in complications from cosmetic eyelid procedures, from less-than-ideal results, in the best-case scenario, to severe and irreparable damage to the eye. Although all surgical procedures carry a risk of complications, choosing a highly qualified surgeon who has expert knowledge of the eyes, and their surrounding tissues is the first step to guaranteeing the best outcome and minimizing the risk of complications.
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