June 5, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Vance Thompson Vision.

When it comes to cosmetic surgery, patients most want to know they are in good hands. That’s where Dr. Zachary Keenum, the oculoplastic surgeon at Vance Thompson Vision comes in.

Keenum came to Sioux Falls in the fall of 2023 after completing a fellowship with American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). Oculoplastics is a specialized area of ophthalmology which focuses on treating the delicate structures around the eyes and upper face, including the eyelids, brows, tear system, and eye socket.

Upon finishing his ASOPRS fellowship at UT Southwestern, Keenum was eager to join Vance Thompson Vision in providing world-class care to patients

.“Being a doctor is first and foremost a service profession,” he said “We’re taking care of people who trust us with their well-being. That is a huge privilege, and I do my best to honor that trust.”

With the addition of Keenum, Vance Thompson Vision now offers a full range of eyelid services to help you look awake, refreshed, and confident. Two of these services are upper and lower blepharoplasty, which are commonly known as upper and lower eyelid lifts.

Upper blepharoplasties (or blephs) treat drooping eyelids which often result from natural aging, but may cause a tired appearance in the eye area. During a blepharoplasty, Dr. Keenum addresses any drooping or excess skin and also corrects the positioning of the fat pads, resulting in open, youthful eyes. Blephs can be coupled with laser treatments for greater impact and to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

During lower blepharoplasty, Dr. Keenum designs a custom plan for each patient. The goal with lower blepharoplasty is to reduce puffy, tired appearing under – eye fat and any extra skin. This is often paired with a resurfacing laser to help improve skin texture and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Sometimes, drooping eyelids may impair vision. This can be a part of aging, or result from conditions like ptosis, which happens when muscles in the eyelid weaken and cause the eyelid to droop. When vision is affected, an upper blepharoplasty or ptosis may be covered by insurance.

During his ASOPRS fellowship, Dr. Keenum designed a surgical instrument which facilitates an innovative ptosis surgery that is not only more comfortable for patients, it also has faster recovery times. The opportunity to pioneer new techniques, like innovative ptosis surgery, drew Keenum to Vance Thompson Vision.

“I have loved science and inventing since I was six years old,” he said. “Medicine gave me the chance to pursue those passions and continue to innovate in my field. I look forward to continuing these advances to provide premium care to patients in Sioux Falls.”

In addition to eyelid procedures, Keenum offers eyebrow lifts, including browpexys, which focus on the mid and outer brow and can be combined with an upper bleph to treat the whole eye area. Patients wanting to raise the whole brow area can choose to be treated with a direct brow lift. Each type of brow lift provides rejuvenation, resulting in open, younger-looking eyes.

Eyelid and brow procedures are performed in the office or in the surgery center as same-day, outpatient procedures. Many only require numbing and a gentle form of sedation, known as twilight sedation, to help patients feel at ease. Recovery takes place relatively quickly, with many patients finding they feel comfortable resuming normal activities after about a week.

Keenum also uses his specialized skillset to treat medical eye conditions like skin lesions, moles, and tear or lacrimal system conditions, along with providing reconstructive plastic surgery for patients recovering from skin cancer in the eye area.

No matter what procedure he is performing, Keenum’s first priority is patient care.

“I hope my patient’s feel listened to and comfortable after I have the privilege of helping them. I also hope they feel like they’ve gotten the most premium care and experience possible,” he said.

And patients in Sioux Falls can feel confident they are receiving world-class oculoplastics care in Dr. Keenum’s hands at Vance Thompson Vision.

Wanting a refreshed, younger look? Call Vance Thompson Vision at 605-361-EYES (3937) to schedule your consultation. Vance Thompson Vision has performed more than 200,000 eye procedures and includes locations across the Mid- and Mountain West.