Most of the time your face is uncovered. That means your eyelids and the area around them receive as much or more UV light exposure than any other parts of your body. Because of this exposure, skin cancers around the eyes are actually quite common. And because the eyes are such a distinguishing feature of a person’s face, even then most subtle asymmetry or contour abnormality caused by cancer removal surgery can be conspicuous. Removing skin cancers in the eyelids AND achieving a natural, symmetrical look requires a surgical specialist in cancer removal and eyelid reconstruction.
Many plastic surgeons and dermatologists aren’t comfortable operating in this area of the face because the unique and delicate anatomy of the eyelids.
As the Treasure Coast’s only board-certified ophthalmologist with two years of subspecialty training in oculoplastics, Dr. Vickers is well-trained and experienced in eyelid cancer removal and reconstructive procedures. These surgical procedures can be done in conjunction with a dermatology Mohs surgeon or with an onsite pathologist.
The duration of surgery and recovery depends on the size of the defect once the skin cancer has been removed and all margins are clear.