CIME 2025: Wendy Lee, MD, MS, emphasizes the power of a referral to an oculoplastics surgeon

At the recent Controversies in Modern Eye Care meeting, Wendy Lee, MD, MS, an oculoplastic surgeon at the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, shared insights into the evolving intersection of aesthetics and ocular surface disease, particularly in the management of dry eye and ocular rosacea. The Controversies in Modern Eye Care meeting took place May 4, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

According to Lee, oculoplastics has long been central to aesthetic medicine, given the eye’s prominence in facial expression and interpersonal communication. "The eye is the center of the aesthetic face," she noted. “It’s what we focus on when talking to people.” As a result, both men and women are increasingly investing in procedures to rejuvenate the periorbital region, making it a growing area of interest and innovation within ophthalmology.

Lee highlighted that while she manages many patients with dry eye herself, the multidisciplinary approach at Bascom Palmer includes a dedicated dry eye clinic, where patients can receive more comprehensive and longitudinal care. Collaboration between specialties is crucial. “When I really want someone to get good care and continuity,” she said, “then I'll send them down to the dry eye clinic.”

One key area of overlap between aesthetic and medical oculoplastics is intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. Originally used for cosmetic treatments—such as photofacials to reduce pigmentation and facial rosacea—IPL has shown promising efficacy in treating meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular rosacea. “We’ve used IPL for years for aesthetics,” Lee explained. “But we found when we were treating rosacea patients, they had an improvement in their dry eyes.” This serendipitous discovery has led to increased adoption of IPL for its dual cosmetic and therapeutic benefits, particularly in targeting inflammatory mediators and stimulating meibomian gland function.

Lee emphasized the importance of early detection and interdisciplinary collaboration. She encouraged general ophthalmologists and optometrists to perform thorough anterior segment evaluations and to be aware of when to refer patients with oculoplastic or dry eye concerns. “Developing these relationships with oculoplastic surgeons is important,” she advised, especially for practitioners who may not have immediate access to subspecialty care.

Lee’s remarks underscore a growing consensus: oculoplastic procedures are not just about aesthetics—they are increasingly integral to comprehensive ocular surface disease management. How do you currently integrate aesthetics and ocular surface health in your practice?