Orbital and Opthalmic Plastic Surgery Specialists

To Our New Patients: 

Welcome to my practice!  I am a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmic plastic surgeon.  This branch of ophthalmology involves disorders and surgery of the lacrimal drainage system (tear duct), eyelids, orbit (eye socket), and the surrounding region of the face.  Due to the complexity of the eye problems that are referred in and the comprehensive nature of the examination, your visit to our office can take up to several hours, but is usually much shorter than that.  We make every effort to run on time.  However, due to unforeseen circumstances, such as emergencies or very complicated issues in patients preceding your appointment, we do sometimes run late.  That should be considered when scheduling other appointments the same day you see us.  We appreciate your understanding and recognize that your time is important, too!   

Prior to seeing us, you will usually be screened by an ophthalmic technician or a physician fellow, who will gather a variety of important information about your eye condition and your medical background, as well as checking your vision.  Visual field testing may be necessary, depending upon the nature of your problem and your examination findings.  Since dilation of the pupils with eyedrops is sometimes necessary or an eyelid procedure may be performed at the time of your visit (depending upon the nature of your eye problem), and these can impair vision and make it difficult to drive, you should consider bringing another driver with you to your appointment.  Please be sure to bring your regular glasses and sunglasses and any relevant previous test results and imaging studies, i.e. MRI and CT (the actual films), if possible.  We would be happy to return the films for you.  External photos will be taken in certain cases.  Ancillary testing, such as bloodwork or imaging (MRI or CT) may be requested in order to help elucidate the cause of your eye condition.  A report will be sent to your referring physician. 

We perform a variety of surgical procedures on the eyelids, orbit, and lacrimal drainage system in adults and children.  These include both cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.  Examples of eyelid procedures include repair of ptosis, entropion, and ectropion, eyelid cancer removal and reconstruction, blepharoplasty, and corrective procedures for thyroid eye disease and facial nerve palsies.  Tear duct surgery is usually performed to alleviate tearing.  Orbital surgery may be needed to address thyroid eye disease, tumors, or fractures.  Other procedures I perform include browlift surgery and botulinum toxin injections (cosmetic and functional).  In certain cases, we work in conjunction with other surgeons in dermatology/Moh's surgery, ENT (otolaryngology), and plastic surgery, among others.   

Surgery will usually NOT be performed at the time of the initial visit, unless you only require a small office procedure that we are able to do that day.  Otherwise, it is important to carefully evaluate your eye condition and related issues, discuss the pros and cons of different treatment options, and answer all of your questions.   Then we can go ahead and schedule your surgery in the appropriate surgical setting (operating room, minor surgery suite, or office).  Prior to surgery you will need to have a history and physical examination form completed and returned.  Cindy Cunningham, in our office, will work with you regarding all details of the surgery.  You will usually be asked to discontinue any products containing aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), vitamin E, and gingko biloba 10-14 days before surgery, in order to reduce the chance of bleeding during or after surgery, with the approval of your primary care physician (PCP).  Coumadin will need to be stopped about 5 days before surgery, and that will be coordinated with your PCP.   

Please print out the medical questionnaire below and bring the completed form with you to your initial appointment.  We look forward to meeting you!  Please feel free to call Cindy if you have any questions (802-847-4516).  Thank you!

Please print out the "Medical Questionnaire" form below and fill it out before arriving at our office. This will help to expedite the check-in process.

Medical Questionaire