Beyond the Eyelid: Innovation and Integration in Modern Oculoplastic Surgery

Oculoplastic surgery lies at the intersection of reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, addressing functional and aesthetic problems of the eyelids, orbit, and periorbital region.

Disorders such as ectropion, entropion, eyelid ptosis, paralytic lagophthalmos, and post-oncologic or post-traumatic defects present complex reconstructive challenges that require precise anatomical knowledge and individualized surgical planning. At the same time, aesthetic procedures such as blepharoplasty and brow lift have evolved from purely cosmetic interventions into operations that restore eyelid function, protect ocular health, and contribute to overall facial harmony.

The periorbital region therefore represents a unique field where function, anatomy, and aesthetics must coexist, demanding continuous innovation and multidisciplinary expertise.

This Research Topic aims to highlight recent advances and clinical innovations in oculoplastic surgery, encompassing both reconstructive and aesthetic aspects. Despite remarkable progress in surgical techniques and perioperative care, significant variability persists in indications, timing, and outcome assessment among centers. Evidence-based guidelines remain limited, and treatment strategies often rely on surgeon experience and institutional practices. This Topic seeks to gather multidisciplinary contributions exploring anatomical and biomechanical considerations, surgical refinements, perioperative management, patient-reported outcomes, and complication prevention.

The Research Topic will address the full clinical spectrum of oculoplastic surgery - from functional eyelid disorders such as ectropion, entropion, or ptosis to complex post-traumatic, post-oncologic, and secondary reconstructive cases, as well as aesthetic oculoplastic procedures in which attention to form must never overlook function - emphasizing the integration of functional restoration and aesthetic harmony across all indications.

By fostering collaboration between plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, and facial nerve specialists, this collection aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current practices and to identify key priorities for future research, innovation, and training in oculoplastic surgery.

We invite submissions covering the full spectrum of functional and aesthetic eyelid and periorbital surgery, including, but not limited to:

- Ectropion and entropion repair,
- Ptosis correction,
- Management of paralytic lagophthalmos,
- Reconstruction following tumor excision or trauma,
- Aesthetic procedures such as blepharoplasty, brow lifting, and upper facial rejuvenation involving the periorbital region.

Contributions addressing imaging, anatomical analysis, surgical innovation, comparative evaluation of surgical techniques, outcome assessment, complications, and perioperative rehabilitation are encouraged. Studies on education, training, or multidisciplinary collaboration in oculoplastic surgery are also welcome.

Manuscripts may include original research, clinical trials, systematic reviews, mini-reviews, case series, technical reports, or opinion papers, with an emphasis on evidence-based approaches and translational impact.

This Research Topic has been coordinated with the support of Dr. Paolo Marchica (Azienda Ospedaliera Cannizzaro, Catania, Italy)

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: oculoplastic surgery, eyelid reconstruction, periorbital trauma, eyelid tumor, oncologic reconstruction, facial paralysis, blepharoplasty, brow lift, ptosis, ectropion, entropion

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.