Dr. Rachel Ellis is an oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Belaray Dermatology in Hicksville, NY. She is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and fellowship-trained in oculoplastics. She treats the full range of eyelid, tear-duct, and orbital conditions, performs same-visit reconstruction after Mohs skin cancer surgery, and offers aesthetic treatments for the area around the eyes.
One Practice, the Whole Eye Area
From a drooping eyelid or a watery eye, to a stubborn stye, to under-eye hollows or eyelid skin cancer, the medical and the cosmetic care of the periocular area are handled in one place by a surgeon who specializes in it.
Medical & Functional Eyelid Conditions
Dr. Ellis diagnoses and treats conditions that affect how the eyelids and tear system work, not just how they look:
- Ptosis (drooping upper eyelids), including drooping that blocks the upper field of vision.
- Ectropion and entropion, eyelids that turn outward or inward and irritate the eye.
- Tearing and blocked tear ducts (epiphora and lacrimal duct obstruction).
- Thyroid eye disease (Graves' orbitopathy), including eyelid retraction and bulging.
- Blepharitis, including meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular rosacea.
- Eyelid growths, lesions, and skin cancers near the eye.
- Blepharoplasty, functional and cosmetic upper and lower eyelid lifts.
Chronic Styes, Chalazia & Eyelid Inflammation
Recurrent styes, chalazia, and blepharitis usually come from blocked oil (meibomian) glands along the lid margin. Dr. Ellis treats these in the office. A persistent chalazion can be cleared with a steroid injection or with incision and drainage (a minor excision). She also offers intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, which warms and clears the meibomian glands to improve their function, calm inflammation, and reduce how often styes come back. IPL also helps the eyelid symptoms of ocular rosacea.
IPL is performed with the Sciton Joule at the Hicksville office.
Benign Eyelid Growth Removal
Bumps and growths on the eyelids are common and are usually harmless. Cysts, papillomas, skin tags, xanthelasma (yellow cholesterol deposits), seborrheic keratoses, and milia can be removed in the office with attention to the delicate eyelid margin and the cosmetic result. Anything suspicious is biopsied first. If a growth turns out to be a skin cancer, it is coordinated with Belaray's Mohs surgeons.
Same-Visit Reconstruction After Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery
Skin cancers near the eye need both complete removal and a careful repair that protects how the eyelid works. For selected periocular cancers, Mohs removal is performed by a Belaray Mohs surgeon, followed the same visit, when appropriate, by oculofacial reconstruction with Dr. Rachel Ellis. Keeping both steps within one practice reduces visits and coordinates the cancer removal with the delicate eyelid repair. Learn more about Mohs surgery near the eye and oculofacial reconstruction.
Belaray is the only practice in the Tri-State Area (NY, NJ, CT) with both Mohs surgery and oculofacial plastic reconstruction on-site. Comparative "only" statements reflect a competitive-practice review based on publicly available practice websites and physician directories, reviewed August 2026.
Periocular Aesthetics
The eyes often show age first. Because an oculofacial plastic surgeon knows the anatomy around the eyes in fine detail, the periocular area is a natural fit for aesthetic care as well as medical care. Dr. Ellis offers treatments that address both the health and the appearance of the eye area:
- Tear-trough and periocular filler for under-eye hollows and dark circles (Restylane, Juvéderm).
- Botox and Xeomin for crow's feet, brow position, and lines between the brows.
- Laser resurfacing and BBL/IPL photofacials for fine lines, pigment, and redness around the eyes (Sciton Joule).
- RF microneedling for eyelid and under-eye skin tightening and texture (Cutera Secret Pro).
Periocular filler, laser, BBL/IPL, and RF microneedling are performed at the Hicksville office.
Combining Treatments for the Best Result
Because eyelid surgery, RF microneedling, CO₂ and laser resurfacing, and injectables are all available under one roof at Belaray, Dr. Ellis can layer them into a single, staged plan for the eye area rather than relying on any one technique. An eyelid lift can be paired with RF microneedling or CO₂ resurfacing to tighten and smooth the surrounding skin, and filler or Botox can refine the outcome. Having the full set of tools in one practice lets her tailor which treatments to combine, and in what order, to each patient's anatomy and goals.
Most procedures are done in the office under local anesthesia. Some cases are performed at a surgical facility, most often Syosset Hospital, when they need sedation or general anesthesia. See what to expect with ambulatory (outpatient) surgery, including pre-op testing, anesthesia, and facility fees.
About Dr. Rachel Ellis
Dr. Rachel Ellis is an oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, board-certified in ophthalmology (ABO) and fellowship-trained in oculoplastics. She holds a faculty appointment at the Hofstra/Northwell School of Medicine. Read her full biography and credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an oculofacial (oculoplastic) plastic surgeon?
An oculofacial plastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist with additional fellowship training in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, tear ducts, orbit, and surrounding face. Dr. Rachel Ellis is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and fellowship-trained in oculoplastics, so she manages both the function and the appearance of the area around the eyes.
Can IPL help recurring styes and eyelid inflammation?
Yes. Recurrent styes, chalazia, and blepharitis are often caused by blocked oil (meibomian) glands along the eyelids. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy can improve meibomian gland function and reduce inflammation, which helps decrease recurrent styes and the symptoms of ocular rosacea. Dr. Ellis offers IPL and in-office chalazion treatment at the Hicksville office.
Who removes a growth or bump on my eyelid?
An oculoplastic surgeon is trained to remove growths on and around the eyelid while protecting the delicate lid margin and preserving how the eye looks and works. Benign eyelid growths such as cysts, papillomas, skin tags, xanthelasma, and seborrheic keratoses can be removed in the office. Any suspicious lesion is biopsied first, and eyelid skin cancers are coordinated with Belaray's Mohs surgeons for removal and same-visit reconstruction.
Does Dr. Ellis do under-eye (tear trough) filler?
Yes. Because an oculofacial plastic surgeon knows the anatomy around the eyes in detail, the periocular area is a natural fit for aesthetic treatment. Dr. Ellis offers tear-trough and periocular filler for under-eye hollows, along with Botox, laser resurfacing, BBL/IPL, and RF microneedling for the eye area. These aesthetic treatments are performed at the Hicksville office.
Can eyelid skin cancer be removed and reconstructed in one visit?
Often, yes. For selected periocular skin cancers, Mohs removal is performed by a Belaray Mohs surgeon, followed the same visit, when appropriate, by oculofacial reconstruction with Dr. Rachel Ellis. Keeping both steps within one practice reduces the number of visits and coordinates the cancer removal and the delicate eyelid repair.
Where does Dr. Rachel Ellis see patients?
Dr. Rachel Ellis primarily sees patients at Belaray Dermatology's Hicksville office at 358 S Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville, NY 11801. Periocular reconstruction after Mohs surgery is coordinated with the Belaray Mohs surgeon handling the case. Call or text (516) 822-7546 to schedule.
See an Eyelid & Periocular Specialist
Schedule with Dr. Rachel Ellis at Belaray Dermatology in Hicksville, NY.
Book Online Text (516) 822-7546