Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dallas | Dr. Rai

Monday, February 8, 2010

Cosmetic Surgery to Whiten the Eyes?

A Los Angeles physician is offering a new procedure to whiten the whites of the eyes. It is called I-BRITE and is being offered by one Brian Boxer Wachler, M.D. who is an ophthalmologist rather than a cosmetic surgeon.

If you spend long hours reading every day, or working on the computer, or if you have spent years in the sun without wearing any sunglasses, you may be noticing that your eyes are not as white as they used to be. People may be asking you if you feel tired.

The white part of the eyes is called the sclera and it can become yellowed or red over time. There are tiny blood vessels in the sclera that nourish the eyes and remove waste products.

How I-BRITE Works

The I-BRITE procedure removes the conjunctiva in the area including the blood vessels and any yellow or brownish pigmentation. It is really the procedure called conjunctivoplasty, which is not new, but is used for cosmetic reasons in I-BRITE. The conjunctiva is the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the sclera. You have probably heard of conjunctivitis, the name for an infected conjunctiva. That is treated with antibiotic eyedrops.

Sometimes little growths appear on the sclera and a conjunctivoplasty is done to remove them. That is medically necessary but in the case of I-BRITE, healthy tissue is being removed. The blood vessels need to be there to provide nutrients and oxygen necessary for eye health.

I-BRITE Risks

By removing the conjunctiva, you risk having little scars that could interfere with vision and you risk eye dryness because the conjunctiva helps to keep the eyes moist. You also risk an eye infection which could create scars.

“I think it's a market overkill," says ophthalmologist Dr. Allen Berg, who also practices in Los Angeles. "It would be, I guess, taking a sledgehammer to a flea."

I-BRITE takes about 30 minutes and is done with local anesthetic. You can return to normal activities the following day. The cost is between $3,000 and $5,000 per eye.

At The Cosmetic Surgical Center, we offer blepharoplasty, which is cosmetic surgery on the eyelids, but we do not offer any surgery on the eyes themselves. Blepharoplasty is an effective way to look less tired, as it removes droopiness and gives the eyes a more alert, youthful look.

If you would rather have a non-surgical procedure for the eyes, BOTOX® Cosmetic can smooth the skin around the forehead and eye area, removing frown lines and horizontal lines. This has a lifting effect for the eyes and gives your face a calmer and happier look.

Dr. Rai offers a great many cosmetic procedures and if you would like to learn more about any that you might be considering, please contact our Dallas, Texas office today. We will be happy to schedule a free consultation for you.

posted by JennyK at 12:10 PM

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