Oculoplastic Surgery in Sarasota & Bradenton
Oculoplastic surgery is the subspecialty that treats the eyelids, tear ducts, orbit (bone socket around the eye), and the surrounding face. It sits at the crossroads of ophthalmology and plastic surgery, and every procedure demands a working knowledge of both.
At the Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery, oculoplastic care is led by Dr. Renelle Lim, MD, FACS, a fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon who has completed the rigorous ASOPRS fellowship pathway. Patients from Sarasota, Bradenton, and the surrounding Gulf Coast come to our practice for surgery that protects vision, restores function, and — when appropriate — refreshes appearance.
What Is Oculoplastic Surgery?
Oculoplastic surgery, sometimes called ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, addresses the delicate structures around the eye. The eyelids, eyelashes, tear drainage system, and the bony orbit all sit within millimeters of the eye itself, so procedures in this region require training that goes beyond general plastic surgery or general ophthalmology.
An oculoplastic surgeon completes medical school, a full ophthalmology residency, and then an additional two-year fellowship accredited by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). That extra fellowship is where surgeons learn the nuances of eyelid anatomy, orbital reconstruction, lacrimal (tear duct) repair, and post-cancer facial reconstruction near the eye.
Because the eyelids do more than frame the eye — they protect the cornea, spread the tear film, and control the visual field — surgery here is rarely “just cosmetic.” Many procedures are medically necessary and covered by insurance. A well-trained oculoplastic surgeon considers vision, function, and appearance in every plan.
When to See an Oculoplastic Surgeon
You may benefit from an oculoplastic consultation if you notice any of the following:
- Upper eyelid skin resting on your lashes or blocking your side vision
- One or both upper eyelids drooping lower than they used to
- A lower eyelid that turns outward (letting the eye water) or inward (letting the lashes rub the eye)
- Constant tearing or a sticky, discharging eye that suggests a blocked tear duct
- A bump, lesion, or new growth on an eyelid — especially one that bleeds, changes color, or loses lashes
- Eyes that look bulging, wide, or asymmetric — often a sign of thyroid eye disease
- Trauma to the orbit or eyelid that needs reconstruction
- A skin cancer near the eye that will require Mohs surgery and reconstruction
- Interest in refreshing tired, heavy, or aged-looking eyelids for cosmetic reasons
If you are unsure whether your concern is medical or cosmetic, we can sort that out at the consultation and let you know what — if anything — insurance is likely to cover.
Meet Dr. Renelle Lim, FACS
Dr. Renelle Lim is our fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon. She earned her medical degree, completed ophthalmology residency, and then completed the ASOPRS-approved oculoplastic surgery fellowship — the specialty’s highest training credential. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), a designation that reflects a demonstrated commitment to surgical ethics, ongoing education, and patient safety.
Her practice covers the full range of oculoplastic care — from functional eyelid surgery for drooping lids that block vision, to complex orbital reconstruction after trauma or cancer, to elective cosmetic procedures like blepharoplasty and brow lift. Patients travel to see her from across Sarasota County, Manatee County, and beyond because oculoplastic surgeons are not evenly distributed across Florida, and true ASOPRS-trained surgeons remain relatively rare.
Dr. Lim sees patients at both the Sarasota (1617 S. Tuttle Ave, 3rd Floor) and Bradenton (5266 Office Park, Suite 203) offices.
Functional & Reconstructive Procedures
These procedures treat medical problems around the eye. Most are billed to medical insurance when documentation supports medical necessity.
Eyelid Surgery. Broad category covering upper and lower eyelid procedures for both functional and cosmetic goals. Dr. Lim’s approach preserves eyelid function while producing a natural result. Functional eyelid surgery is often covered by insurance when excess skin measurably obstructs the visual field.
Ptosis Repair. Ptosis is a drooping upper eyelid caused by weakening or stretching of the levator muscle that holds the lid up. Repair tightens or advances the muscle so the lid opens properly, restoring the visual field and often making the eyes look more alert.
Eyelid Malposition. Includes ectropion (lower lid rolling outward, causing tearing and irritation) and entropion (lower lid rolling inward, causing lashes to rub the cornea). Both are corrected surgically to protect the eye and stop the discomfort.
Lacrimal Surgery. Repairs the tear drainage system when tears cannot drain properly, usually because of a blocked tear duct. Symptoms include constant watering, sticky discharge, or repeated infections. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the most common lacrimal procedure and creates a new drainage pathway.
Corneal Neurotization. A microsurgical procedure that restores sensation to a numb cornea by grafting a healthy sensory nerve to the corneal surface. Used for neurotrophic keratopathy where the cornea has lost feeling and stopped healing. It is a specialized offering that few practices provide.
Conjunctival Tumors. Removal and reconstruction of tumors on the conjunctiva (the clear membrane over the white of the eye). Biopsy and pathology guide the approach, and reconstruction preserves the surface of the eye.
Orbital Trauma. Repairs fractures and soft tissue injuries around the eye socket, including orbital floor (“blow-out”) fractures. Prompt evaluation matters because trapped muscle or bone displacement can cause double vision and cosmetic deformity if left untreated.
Post-Mohs Reconstruction. After a Mohs surgeon removes a skin cancer near the eye, an oculoplastic surgeon reconstructs the eyelid or surrounding area. This is where oculoplastic training really shows — the goal is a functional eyelid that closes, blinks, and looks natural. Our dermatology team performs Mohs, and Dr. Lim handles the reconstruction in a coordinated workflow.
Thyroid Eye Disease. Also called Graves’ orbitopathy. An autoimmune condition where the tissues behind the eye swell, pushing the eyes forward and causing bulging, eyelid retraction, double vision, and in serious cases, pressure on the optic nerve. Treatment ranges from medical management to eyelid surgery and orbital decompression in advanced cases.
Eyelid Cancer. Includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and rarer eyelid malignancies. Because the eyelids are thin and lash-bearing, both removal and reconstruction demand oculoplastic expertise. Early biopsy of any suspicious eyelid lesion is the safest path.
Cosmetic Oculoplastic Procedures
Elective procedures aimed at appearance. These are not covered by insurance and are typically self-pay.
Cosmetic Blepharoplasty. Elective upper or lower eyelid surgery to reduce excess skin, remove or reposition fat pockets, and refresh the eyes without altering the natural shape. Because Dr. Lim is fellowship-trained around the eye specifically, cosmetic results tend to look rested rather than “done.”
Brow Lift. Repositions the eyebrows when they descend with age and start to weigh down the upper eyelids. Sometimes performed alongside blepharoplasty because a low brow can mimic — or worsen — upper lid hooding.
Facial Fat Transfer. Uses the patient’s own fat, harvested from another body area, to restore volume to hollow areas such as the tear troughs, temples, or cheeks. Because the fat is autologous, results can be long-lasting and natural in feel.
What to Expect at Your Oculoplastic Consultation
Your first visit runs about 45 to 60 minutes. Here is what usually happens:
- Intake. We collect your medical history, current medications (especially blood thinners), eye history, and photos when relevant.
- Examination. Dr. Lim examines your eyelids, tear function, visual field, and the health of your eyes. For functional cases, we may perform a visual field test to document how much of your side vision is blocked — that documentation is often required for insurance approval.
- Discussion. She explains what she is seeing, what the options are, and whether the concern is functional, cosmetic, or both. You will learn what a procedure looks like, what recovery involves, and what the realistic result is.
- Photos. Standardized clinical photos are taken for the chart. For cosmetic cases, these are used to plan and to compare before-and-after.
- Plan and pricing. For insurance-eligible procedures, our team verifies benefits and gives you an out-of-pocket estimate. For cosmetic procedures, you receive a written quote before you commit.
Bring your eyeglasses, a list of medications, your insurance card, and any prior records or imaging if you have them. If you drive to the Sarasota or Bradenton office, note that we ask you to arrange a driver in advance for any procedures involving sedation.
Insurance & Coverage
Many oculoplastic procedures are medically necessary and covered by insurance. Common examples include:
- Ptosis repair when the drooping lid measurably reduces vision
- Blepharoplasty when excess upper eyelid skin blocks the superior visual field
- Ectropion and entropion repair
- Tear duct surgery for symptomatic obstruction
- Eyelid cancer removal and reconstruction
- Orbital trauma repair
- Thyroid eye disease surgery
Purely cosmetic procedures — cosmetic blepharoplasty for aesthetic refresh, brow lift for appearance alone, or fat transfer — are self-pay. Our team will tell you clearly which category your case falls into, and if it’s borderline, we walk you through what documentation the insurer requires. We accept most major medical insurance plans; contact our office to verify yours before booking.
FAQ
How is an oculoplastic surgeon different from a plastic surgeon or a regular ophthalmologist?: An oculoplastic surgeon has completed both a full ophthalmology residency and a two-year ASOPRS fellowship focused on the eyelids, tear ducts, orbit, and surrounding face. That combination is unusual — general plastic surgeons don’t train in ophthalmology, and general ophthalmologists don’t train in reconstructive surgery of the surrounding tissue.
Will eyelid surgery change the shape of my eyes?: No. A skilled oculoplastic surgeon preserves the natural shape of your eyes. The goal is to remove excess skin or reposition tissue while keeping your eyes recognizably yours. If someone’s eyes look pulled or altered after surgery, that is usually a sign the surgery was overdone.
Is ptosis repair painful?: Most patients describe mild soreness rather than sharp pain, controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers. Bruising and swelling are common for one to two weeks. Sutures typically come out within a week or dissolve on their own.
Can I have functional and cosmetic eyelid surgery at the same time?: Often, yes. Many patients combine an insurance-covered ptosis repair or functional blepharoplasty with a self-pay cosmetic enhancement in one operating room visit. This reduces total recovery time and cost.
FAQ
How long does recovery take after eyelid surgery?: Most patients feel presentable within one to two weeks, though residual swelling and pink incisions can last several weeks. You can usually return to desk work in seven to ten days. Vigorous exercise waits about three weeks.
Do you treat thyroid eye disease?: Yes. Dr. Lim evaluates and treats thyroid eye disease across the spectrum — from active-phase medical management referrals to lid retraction repair, decompression when needed, and strabismus coordination. Early evaluation matters.
Where do you operate?: Depending on the procedure, cases are performed either in our in-office surgical suite or at partner surgical facilities in Sarasota. Dr. Lim will tell you the specific facility at your consultation.
How do I book?: Call our Sarasota office at (941) 559-8336 or our Bradenton office at (941) 499-0199, or use the online scheduler.
Book an Oculoplastic Consultation at IDO
Whether you are dealing with a drooping lid that has started to affect your driving, a suspicious spot near your lash line, or you are simply tired of looking tired, an oculoplastic consultation is the fastest way to get real answers. Dr. Renelle Lim sees patients at both our Sarasota and Bradenton offices, and our team can usually schedule new-patient visits within a few weeks.
Sarasota: 1617 S. Tuttle Ave, 3rd Floor — (941) 559-7999 | Bradenton: 5266 Office Park, Suite 203 — (941) 559-7999