Question 1

What is an Oculoplastic / Oculo-Facial Surgeon?

Accepted Answer

An oculoplastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist who has completed additional fellowship training in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, orbit, and lacrimal (tear duct) system. Dr. Brown completed his fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS) — the gold-standard credentialing body for this subspecialty.

Question 2

Where are your offices located?

Accepted Answer

We have two convenient locations. Our Mobile office is at 6576 Airport Blvd, Suite B200, Mobile, AL 36608. Our Eastern Shore office is at 1 Timber Way, Suite 202, Daphne, AL 36527. Both offices share the same phone number: 251-650-5437.

Question 3

What are your office hours?

Accepted Answer

The Mobile office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment. The Daphne — Eastern Shore office is open Monday 1–5 PM and Thursday 8 AM–5 PM by appointment. Call 251-650-5437 to schedule.

Question 4

Where does Dr. Brown perform surgery?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Brown performs surgery at Daphne Surgery Center and is the only ASOPRS-fellowship-trained surgeon performing surgery on the Eastern Shore, serving Baldwin County and the Gulf Shores area.

Question 5

How do I schedule a consultation?

Accepted Answer

Call our office at 251-650-5437 or use our online appointment request form. We serve patients from Mobile, Daphne, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, Pensacola, and throughout the Gulf Coast region.

Question 6

Do you offer TeleHealth appointments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dr. Brown offers TeleHealth video consultations for appropriate cases — particularly for patients traveling from Pensacola, Mississippi, or rural areas. Call our office to determine if your concern is suitable for an initial telemedicine evaluation.

Question 7

What is Blepharoplasty?

Accepted Answer

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin, muscle, and/or fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids. It can be performed for cosmetic reasons (to improve appearance) or functional reasons (when drooping skin impairs vision and is documented by visual field testing). Insurance may cover functional upper blepharoplasty.

Question 8

What is Ptosis, and how is it different from Blepharoplasty?

Accepted Answer

Ptosis (TOE-sis) is a drooping of the upper eyelid caused by weakness or stretching of the levator muscle — the muscle that actually lifts the lid. Blepharoplasty, by contrast, removes excess skin. These are different operations: ptosis repair tightens the levator or Müller's muscle, while blepharoplasty removes skin. Many patients need both. See our comparison guide for details.

Question 9

Will insurance cover my eyelid surgery?

Accepted Answer

Functional blepharoplasty (upper lids obstructing vision) and ptosis repair are often covered by insurance when visual field testing demonstrates a significant field defect. Cosmetic procedures are not covered. Dr. Brown's staff will help determine your coverage prior to scheduling.

Question 10

What is the recovery time after blepharoplasty or ptosis repair?

Accepted Answer

Most patients experience swelling and bruising for 1–2 weeks. Sutures are typically removed at one week. Most patients are comfortable returning to work within 7–10 days and resuming full activity — including exercise — within 2–3 weeks. Final results are typically visible within 6–8 weeks.

Question 11

What is Ectropion?

Accepted Answer

Ectropion is an outward turning of the lower eyelid, exposing the inner surface. It causes tearing, redness, irritation, and increased infection risk. The most common cause is age-related laxity of the canthal tendons. It is corrected with a brief outpatient procedure.

Question 12

What is Entropion?

Accepted Answer

Entropion is an inward turning of the eyelid so that the lashes rub against the cornea. This causes pain, tearing, redness, and can lead to corneal scarring if untreated. Both ectropion and entropion are surgically correctable with a high success rate.

Question 13

Why do I have excessive tearing (epiphora)?

Accepted Answer

Excessive tearing can result from overproduction of tears (triggered by dry eye, allergies, or irritants) or from a blockage in the drainage system (punctal stenosis, canalicular obstruction, or nasolacrimal duct obstruction). Dr. Brown performs a complete lacrimal evaluation to identify the specific level of obstruction before recommending treatment.

Question 14

What is a DCR (Dacryocystorhinostomy)?

Accepted Answer

A DCR is a surgery to create a new drainage pathway between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity, bypassing a blocked nasolacrimal duct. Dr. Brown performs DCR both externally (through a small skin incision) and endoscopically (through the nose without a skin incision). Success rates exceed 90%.

Question 15

What is Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid Eye Disease is an autoimmune condition associated with thyroid disorders — most often Graves' disease — that causes inflammation and expansion of the tissues behind the eye. This can produce eye bulging (proptosis), double vision, eyelid retraction, and in severe cases, optic nerve compression threatening vision. Dr. Brown has treated TED patients for over 20 years and is one of the region's leading specialists, including for Tepezza infusion therapy.

Question 16

What is Tepezza and do you offer it?

Accepted Answer

Tepezza (teprotumumab) is an FDA-approved biologic infusion that reduces proptosis and diplopia in active Thyroid Eye Disease. It is given as a series of IV infusions every three weeks. Dr. Brown has extensive experience with Tepezza and works closely with patients' endocrinologists to coordinate care.

Question 17

What are orbital tumors?

Accepted Answer

Orbital tumors are masses that develop within the bony socket (orbit) surrounding the eye. They range from benign lesions (dermoid cysts, cavernous hemangiomas, lymphomas) to malignant tumors. Evaluation typically involves MRI or CT imaging. Treatment depends on the type, size, and location — ranging from observation to surgical excision.

Question 18

Can Dr. Brown remove a growth on my eyelid?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dr. Brown evaluates and removes a wide range of eyelid lesions, including benign growths (cysts, papillomas, chalazia) and malignant tumors (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma). When cancer is suspected, tissue is sent for pathology. Reconstruction is performed as part of the same procedure to preserve normal eyelid function and appearance.

Question 19

What is a Chalazion and how is it treated?

Accepted Answer

A chalazion is a painless inflammatory bump on the eyelid caused by a blocked Meibomian gland. Small chalazia often resolve with warm compresses (10 minutes, 4× per day) over several weeks. Persistent ones are treated with a simple in-office procedure: a small incision is made on the inside of the eyelid to drain the cyst — no external scar results.

Question 20

Do I need a referral to see Dr. Brown?

Accepted Answer

A referral is not required for a consultation, though many patients are referred by their optometrist or ophthalmologist. If your insurance requires a referral for specialist visits, please obtain one from your primary care provider or eye doctor before your appointment.

Question 21

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please bring: a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications and allergies, any relevant records or imaging (CT/MRI), a referral if required by your insurance, and completed new patient forms (available on our Forms page). Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for paperwork.

Question 22

How far do patients travel to see Dr. Brown?

Accepted Answer

Our patients come from throughout the Gulf Coast region, including Mobile, Baldwin County, Pensacola, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and beyond. For patients traveling significant distances, TeleHealth consultations may be appropriate for initial evaluation, minimizing the number of required in-person visits.

Frequently Asked Questions