preseptal cellulitis is an infection and inflammation of the eyelid and surrounding skin in front of the orbital septum. It typically causes eyelid swelling, redness, and tenderness without involving the eye socket itself. It is a common diagnosis in urgent eye care, emergency care, pediatrics, and primary care settings. Clinicians use the term to distinguish it from deeper, more serious infections that affect the orbit.
orbital cellulitis is an infection and inflammation of the tissues within the bony eye socket (the orbit). It commonly causes eyelid swelling along with eye pain, reduced eye movement, or vision-related symptoms. In clinical care, “orbital cellulitis” is a diagnosis used to describe a potentially serious eye-and-sinus infection pattern. It is discussed in emergency medicine, ophthalmology, optometry, pediatrics, and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) care.
A Jones tube is a small hollow tube placed to help tears drain from the eye into the nose. It is used when the normal tear drainage pathways are blocked or absent. It is most commonly associated with lacrimal (tear duct) surgery for severe watery eye. It creates a direct bypass route for tears.
canalicular repair is a procedure to fix a tear-drainage channel in the eyelid called a canaliculus. It is most commonly done after an eyelid injury that cuts or tears the drainage system. The goal is to restore normal tear outflow and reduce long-term watering of the eye. It is typically performed by ophthalmologists, often those with oculoplastics training.
punctoplasty is a minor eye procedure that enlarges the tear duct opening on the eyelid margin (the punctum). It is most commonly used to improve tear drainage when the punctum is narrowed or scarred. The goal is usually to reduce watery eyes (epiphora) caused by outflow blockage at the punctum. It is performed in ophthalmology and oculoplastic (eyelid and tear system) settings.
nasolacrimal intubation is a technique that places a small soft tube (a stent) into the tear drainage system. It is used to help tears flow from the eye into the nose when the normal pathway is narrowed or blocked. Clinicians most often use it in eye care settings dealing with excessive tearing (epiphora) or tear duct obstruction. It can be used in children or adults, depending on the underlying cause.
endoscopic DCR is a surgery that creates a new drainage pathway for tears. It is most often used when the normal tear drain (the nasolacrimal duct) is blocked. The procedure is performed through the inside of the nose using an endoscope (a small camera). It is commonly used in ophthalmology and sometimes in combined care with ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialists.
dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a surgical procedure that creates a new drainage pathway for tears. It is most commonly used when the normal tear drainage duct is blocked. By rerouting tear flow into the nose, it can reduce persistent watery eye and related infections. It is performed by eye surgeons (ophthalmologists), sometimes in collaboration with ENT specialists.
dermatochalasis is a condition where eyelid skin becomes loose and redundant (extra), most often on the upper lids. It is commonly related to aging changes in skin and supporting tissues. Clinicians use the term in eye exams, eyelid evaluations, and surgical planning. It may affect appearance, comfort, and sometimes the upper part of the visual field.
epiblepharon is an eyelid condition where a fold of skin and muscle pushes the eyelashes inward toward the eye. It most often affects the lower eyelids and is commonly noticed in infants and children. The inward-pointing lashes can rub on the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) and cause irritation. In eye clinics, epiblepharon is used as a diagnostic term and management framework for lash-related ocular surface symptoms.
distichiasis is a condition in which an extra row of eyelashes grows from an abnormal location along the eyelid margin. These lashes often emerge from the openings of the meibomian glands, which normally produce the oily layer of the tear film. distichiasis is most commonly discussed in eye clinics when evaluating irritation, tearing, or scratchy eye symptoms. It is also used as a diagnostic term in ophthalmology and optometry documentation and teaching.
trichiasis is a condition where one or more eyelashes grow or point inward toward the eye. The lashes can rub the conjunctiva (the clear membrane over the white of the eye) or the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). It is commonly discussed in eye clinics because it can cause irritation and damage to the ocular surface. The term is used by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and trainees when describing eyelid-margin problems.
lid retraction is an abnormal eyelid position where the upper lid sits too high or the lower lid sits too low. It can make more of the eye’s surface visible than usual, sometimes giving a “staring” appearance. Clinicians use the term as a clinical finding during eye exams and as a diagnosis that can affect comfort and vision. It is commonly discussed in thyroid eye disease, facial nerve problems, and after eyelid or orbital surgery.
ectropion is an eyelid condition where the eyelid turns outward (everts) away from the eye. It most often affects the lower eyelid and can expose the inner eyelid surface and the eye itself. The term is commonly used in ophthalmology and optometry to describe an eyelid malposition seen on examination. It matters because eyelid position helps protect the eye, spread tears, and drain tears normally.
entropion is a condition where the eyelid turns inward toward the eye. It most often affects the lower eyelid, but it can occur in the upper eyelid as well. When the lid turns in, eyelashes and skin can rub the eye’s surface. The term is commonly used in eye clinics to describe a specific eyelid malposition that may irritate the cornea and conjunctiva.
Mueller muscle resection is an eyelid surgery used to lift a droopy upper eyelid (ptosis). It works by shortening tissues on the inside of the upper eyelid, including Müller’s muscle. It is most commonly used for mild to moderate ptosis in selected patients. It is performed by ophthalmologists, often those specializing in oculoplastics.
levator advancement is a surgical technique used to lift a drooping upper eyelid (ptosis). It works by tightening or repositioning the eyelid’s main lifting structure, the levator muscle tendon (levator aponeurosis). It is commonly performed by ophthalmologists (often oculoplastic surgeons) in functional and cosmetic eyelid surgery settings. It may be done alone or combined with other eyelid procedures when appropriate.
ptosis surgery is an operation to lift a drooping upper eyelid (ptosis). It is commonly performed by ophthalmologists, often in oculoplastics (eyelid and orbit surgery). It may be done to improve the visual field, eyelid function, or eyelid position symmetry. The approach depends on the cause of ptosis and which eyelid-lifting structures are weak.
blepharoplasty is surgery on the eyelids to remove, reposition, or reshape eyelid tissues. It is commonly performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The goal may be functional (helping the eyelids work better) or cosmetic (changing appearance). It is used in ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery, and also in facial plastic surgery settings.
botulinum toxin for strabismus is an injectable medication used to temporarily weaken specific eye muscles. It is used to help realign the eyes when the eyes point in different directions (strabismus). It is most commonly used in ophthalmology and sometimes in neuro-ophthalmology settings. It may be used as an alternative or supplement to eye muscle surgery in selected cases.