Page 90 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2021

HEALTHY LIVING
RESTORING VISION
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Restore Oculoplastics Gulf Coast
Dr. Phillips founded Restore Oculoplastics Gulf Coast in July 2020. Her office was completed in May 2021, and she began seeing patients full time. She performs a variety of surgical procedures that deal with the eyelids, eye socket, and tear ducts. At this time Margaret E. Phillips, M.D., is the only full time oculoplastics surgeon on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
“The need for oculoplastics is very prevalent in this area,”
Dr. Phillips said. “Reconstructive eye procedures can range from correction of a droopy eyelid – upper or lower – to excision of skin cancer and reconstruction to repair traumatic injuries.”
She says ptosis, or droop of the upper eyelid, is the condition she treats the most. “It can be related to excess skin pushing the eyelid down or a weak attachment of the levator muscle inside of the eyelid causing the eyelid to droop.”
Asked if there are measures people can take to prevent these
eye problems, Dr. Phillips replied, “Avoid eye rubbing, reduce sun exposure and don’t smoke. Some eye problems are genetic and can be difficult to prevent entirely.”
She notes that cosmetic eye procedures are growing in popularity. “With eyes being the focal point of the face, people are often very focused on correcting the area around their eyes. Cosmetic eye surgery can brighten their appearance, making them feel more awake and refreshed, without changing the real ‘you.’”
Evaluations are performed in the Restore Oculoplastics clinic and surgeries are performed in nearby surgery centers. “Patients should allow one week for healing with reduced activities. And at one month, most patients are completely healed on the skin surface,” Dr. Phillips said. “The complete healing and final result may take several months, as tissues continue to settle inside.”
After earning a Bachelors in Science from Spring Hill College, Dr. Phillips graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and completed an internship prior to an ophthalmology residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center. She then completed a competitive fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery accredited by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.
Restore Oculoplastics Gulf Coast
8980 Lorraine Rd., Gulfport | 228.231.9477 | www.restoreeyeplastics.com
Margaret E. Phillips, M.D.
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