Surgeons

“My physician referred me to the surgeons with the most training and experience, period.”
— Patient

DR. THOMAS A. BERSANI, Since 1987, Dr. Bersani has concentrated his practice exclusively in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, eyebrows, tear ducts, orbit and face. A published author of medical research, he is involved in on-going research projects and has lectured at professional meetings throughout the United States. He is actively involved in educating physicians as a full clinical professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology at the SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Dr. Bersani graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. He earned his medical degree from SUNY Health Science Center and an internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania – Scheie Eye Institute in Philadelphia. His post graduate training included a fellowship in Eye Plastic and Orbital Surgery, performed at the University of Michigan, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Bersani is a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). This organization’s members consist of about 800 surgeons nationally who have completed an approved fellowship, passed written and oral exams, and defended a thesis in the field of oculoplastic surgery. Dr. Bersani meets biannually with the organization to bring you the latest treatments in the field.

DR. BRYANT P. CARRUTH, specializes in both functional and cosmetic plastic surgery of the eyelids as well as surgery on the orbit and the lacrimal, or tearing, system. He is trained in the most contemporary techniques in the field and is committed to bringing newly advancing techniques to his patients.

Dr. Carruth is a native of Syracuse, NY. He studied biochemistry and molecular biology at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Dr. Carruth earned his M.D. at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and completed a medical internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He trained in comprehensive ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery during his residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Dr. Carruth undertook fellowship training in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY where he served as a clinical instructor teaching resident physicians and medical students. This fellowship is sponsored by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS), an esteemed national organization of physicians specializing in functional, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, orbit and lacrimal system.

Dr. Carruth is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has authored a number of journal articles and book chapters in oculoplastic surgery, has spoken at national meetings, and is engaged in ongoing clinical research in the field as well. In addition, Dr. Carruth continues to teach physicians-in-training as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at SUNY Upstate.

DR. ROBERT H. HILL, III, is trained in the most current techniques of functional and cosmetic oculofacial plastic surgery and surgery of the orbit. In addition, he has a particular interest in minimally invasive treatments for facial rejuvenation including the use of neuromodulators and dermal filers. He is the author of several articles and book chapters pertaining to oculoplastic surgery and continues to teach residents and medical students as an Assistant Clinical Professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Dr. Hill is originally from the Albany, NY, area. He attended Amherst College where he graduated with a major in Neuroscience. Dr. Hill then received his M.D. from SUNY Upstate Medical University and completed his internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology at SUNY Upstate Medical University and is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Hill continued his post-graduate training by completing a prestigious two year fellowship in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery sponsored by ASOPRS (American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons) in Columbus, OH. While in Ohio, he served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at The Ohio State University Medical Center and Doctor’s Hospital. During his fellowship he also received the Marvin Quickert Thesis Award, given annually to the best research thesis submitted nationally. Dr. Hill’s thesis title was “Percutaneous drainage and ablation as first line therapy for the treatment of both macrocystic and microcystic orbital lymphangiomas.”

DR. GEORGE SALLOUM, is a board-certified Ophthalmologist with extensive training in OculoFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Salloum is a native of Upstate NY. He grew up in Lansing, NY and attended SUNY Geneseo where he studied Biochemistry and Mathematics. He then earned his MD from Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, OH.

Upon completion of his medical Internship, Dr. Salloum served 4 years as an active-duty Flight Surgeon with the Air Force Special Operations Command out of Hurlburt Field Air Force Base in Florida. During his time with the Air Force, Dr. Salloum was an operational Flight Surgeon providing casualty evacuation care and base operations support. He went on 3 deployment taskings to the Horn of Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq and earned 17 decorations to include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal and Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

In 2016 Dr. Salloum transitioned from the Air Force to the Air National Guard and began his Ophthalmology residency training at SUNY Upstate Medical University. After his residency, Dr. Salloum completed an extremely competitive 2-year OculoFacial Plastics fellowship in Nashville, TN through the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS). As a part of his specialty training Dr Salloum worked extensively with experts in the fields of Oculoplastics, ENT Facial Plastics, General Plastics, Facial Trauma, Oral MaxilloFacial Surgery and Neurosurgery. His inclusive training has made him an incredibly well trained and versatile surgeon that encompasses all cosmetic and reconstructive needs.

In addition to his work as an OculoFacial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Salloum currently serves as an Air National Guard Flight Surgeon with the 174th Attack Wing in Syracuse, NY and an Aviation Medical Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Dr. Salloum is also an assistant professor of Ophthalmology at SUNY Upstate in which he actively teaches Ophthalmology residents and works to advance the field of Ophthalmology and OculoFacial Plastics via education and research.

Dr. Salloum is extremely excited to be back in Upstate NY and serve the region!

 

Publications

Publications, other forms of creative work and scholarship

· In peer-reviewed journals

1. Bersani TA, Nichols CW. Intralesional triamcinolone for cutaneous palpebral sarcoidosis. AMJ Ophthalmology. 1985;99(5):561-2.

2. Katowitz JA, Welsh MG, Bersani TA. Lid crease approach to the superomedial orbit. Ophthalmic Surg. 1987;18(4):288-90.

3. Diamond GR, Katowitz JA, Whitaker LA, Bersani TA, Bartlett SP, Welsch MG. Ocular and adnexal complications of unilateral orbital advancement for plagiocephaly. Arch Ophthalmol. 1987;0105(3):381-5.

4. Katowitz JA, Welsh MG, Bersani TA. Lid crease approach for medial wall fracture repair. Ophthalmic Surg. 1988;18(4):288-90.

5. Font RL, Bersani TA, Eagle RC Jr. Malakoplakia of the eyelids: Clinical, Histopathologic and ultra-structural characteristics. Ophthalmology. 1988;95(1):61-8.

6. Wright MM, Bersani TA, Frueh BR, Musch DC. Efficacy of the primary dye test. Ophthalmology. 1989;96(4):81-3.

7. Frueh BR, Musch DC, Bersani TA. Effects of eyelid protractor excision for the treatment of benign essential blepharospasm. AM J Ophthalmol. 1992;113(6):681-6.

8. Bersani TA, Costello JJ, Mango CA, Streeten BW. Benign approach to a malignant orbital tumor: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1994;10(1):42-4.

9. Wenz R, Levine MR, Putterman A, Bersani TA, Feldman K. Extraocular muscle enlargement after orbital decompression for graves’ ophthalmopathy. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1994;10(1):34-41.

10. Bersani TA, Courchesne MC. Post-traumatic eyelid deformities, facial trauma: Primary and secondary repair: Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 1998;6(4):511-525.

11. Bersani TA, Ahmadi* AJM: Orbital volume expansion of dysthyroid ophthalmopathy by surgical placement of lateral rim implants: A case study. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1999;15(6):429-31.

12. Peters GB, Meyer DR, Shields JA, Custer PL, Rubin PA, Wojno TH, Bersani TA, Tanenbaum M. Management and prognosis of eyelid merkel cell carcinoma. Ophthalmology. 2001;108(9):1575-9.

13. Kellman RM, Bersani TA. Delayed and secondary repair of post-traumatic enophthalmos and orbital deformities. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2002;10(3):311-23.

14. Singh, B. Hayes, G. Carruth, B. Bundga, M. Lucas, J. Glycosylated Cysteine Proteases of Trichomonas Vaginalis Induce Apoptosis in Host Cells. Glycobiology. 2002;12: abstract 254.

 

15. Huang CM, Meyer DR, Bersani TA. Medial rectus muscle injuries associated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery: Characterization and treatment. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2003;19(1):25-37.

16. Alpert* TE, Alpert* SG, Bersani TA, Hahn SS, Bogart JA, Chung CT. Radiotherapy for moderate to severe graves’ ophthalmopathy: Improved outcomes with early treatment. Cancer J. 2003;9(6):472-5.

17. Kwiat* DM, Bersani TA, Hodge C, Strauss J. Two-step orbital reconstruction in neurofibromatosis type 1 with a matched implant and exenteration. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2004;20(2):156-61.

18. Kwiat* DM, Bersani TA, Bersani A. Increased patient comfort utilizing botulinum toxin type a reconstructed with preserved versus non-preserved saline. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2004;20(3):186-9.

19. Bersani Thomas A. Plastic techniques in neurosurgery. Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2005;21(3):252.

20. Spitzer* SG, Bersani TA, Mejico LT. Multiple bilateral extraocular muscle metastases as the initial manifestation of breast cancer. J. Neuro-Ophthalmol. 2005;25(1):37-9.

21. Bersani TA, Cecchi* L. Resection of anterior orbital meningo-encephalocele in a newborn. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2006;22(5):391-3.

22. Hill* RH III, Bersani TA. Bulbar conjunctival autograft with rectus muscle transeyelid traction suture for diplopia due to bulbar conjunctival scarring. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2009;25(1):47-9.

23. Barrett RV, Meyer DR, Acquired Lacrimal Fistula Study Group: Acquired lacrimal Fistula After Incision and Drainage for Dacryocystitis: A Multicenter Study. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2009;25(6):455-7.

24. Hill* RH, Norton SW, Bersani TA: Prevalence of canaliculitis requiring removal of smartplugs. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2009;25(6):437-9.

25. Robbins R, Hill R, Wang W, Macapinlac H, Larson S. Inhibition of metabolic activity in papillary thyroid carcinoma by a somatostatin analog. Thyroid. Feb 2010;10(2):177-83.

26. Carruth* BP, Bersani TA, Hurley* PE, Ko, MW. Visual improvement after optic nerve sheath decompression in a case of congenital hydrocephalus and persistent visual loss despite intracranial pressure correction via shunting. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;26(4):297-8.

27. Czyz C, Kalwerisky K, Hill R, et al. Initial treatment of ocular exposure and associated complications in severe periorbital thermal injuries. Journal of Trauma. 2011;71(5):1455-9.28

28. Kalwerisky K, Hill R, Czyz C, et al. Piezoelectirc-assisted removal of the lateral orbital rim in lateral orbital rim advacement. Orbit. 2011;

29. Fridman G, Griser E, Hill R, et al. Propranolol for the treatment of orbital infantile hemangiomas. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2011;27(3):190-194.

30. Hill RH, Czyz CN, Bersani TA. Transcaruncular Medical Wall Orbital Decompression: An Effective Approach for patients with Unilateral Graves Ophthalmopathy. The Scientific Worlds Journal. 2012. Article ID 312361, 5 pages, doi:10.1100/2012/312361

31. Everman K, Czyz C, Kalwerisky K, Hill R, Foster J, Cahill K. Canalicular obstruction: a histopathologic case series. Can J Ophthal, 2012 Dec;47(6):500-3.

32. Latorre A, Alghothani L, Lambert D, Jatana K, Peters S, Foster J, Hill R. Mucin producing malignant tumor of lower eyelid in a 14 year-old patient. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012, 5(4).

33. Hill R, Shiels W, Cahill K., et al. Percutaneous drainage and ablation as first line therapy for the treatment of both macrocystic and microcystic orbital lymphangiomas. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 28(2):119-125, March/April 2012.

34. Carruth BP, Wladis EJ. Inflammatory modulators and biologic agents in the treatment of idiopathic orbital inflammation. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2012;23:420-6.

35. Fay A, Bersani T. Prophylactic postoperative antibiotics for enucleation and evisceration. Opthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 July-Aug;29(4):281-5. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0b013e3182916674.·

36. Carruth BP, Meyer DR. Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis; An Unusual Cause of Upper Eyelid Cicatricial Entropion. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2013:29(6)e151-4.

37. Carruth BP, Wladis EJ. Orbital abscess from dacryocystitis caused by Morganella Morganii. Orbit. 2013;32:39-41.

38. Carruth BP, Meyer DR. Simplified Muller Muscle Conjunctival Resection Internal Ptosis Repair. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2013;29:11-14.

39. Mangla D, Carruth BP, Britton LW, Wladis EJ. Nontraumatic Subperiosteal Bilateral Orbital Hemorrhages after Mitral Valve Repair. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2014;20(1)e1-2

40. Salloum G, Warwar RE, VanDyke J, Hemmings D. Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration Associated with Gynecological Malignancy: Two Contrasting Case Reports. Journal of Ocular Diseases and Therapeutics 2014; 2(1): 27-29.

41. Stacey AW, Czyz CN, Kondapalli SS, Hill RH, Everman KR, Cahill KV, Foster, JA. Risk of ocular blood splatter during oculofacial plastic surgery. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 31(3), August 2014.

42. Hill RH 3rd, Platt SM, Bersani TA, Barker-Griffith A, Strumpf KB. Regression of a paraganglioma tumor of the orbit. Orbit. 2015 Apr;34(2):99-102. Doi:10:3109/01676830.2014.950290. Epub 2014 Sep 12. PMID: 2521604143.

43. Hill R, Czyz C, Cahill K et al. Evolving minimally invasive techniques for tear trough enhancement. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 31(4):306-309, July/August 2015.

44. Carruth BP, Meyer DR, Wladis EJ, Bradley EA, Al-Rohil R, Jones DM, Bartley GB. Extreme Eyelid Lymphedema Associated with Rosacea (Morbihan Disease): Case Series, Literature Review, and Therapeutic Considerations. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015, Oct 26 [Epub ahead of print]

45. Lemanski N, Farber M, Carruth BP, Wladis EJ. Primary Adnexal Angiosarcoma Masquerading and Periorbital Hematoma. Survey of Ophthalmology 2014;59(6): 655-9.

46. Carruth BP, Meyer DR. Angiolipoma of the Orbit: A Rare Tumor in an Unusual Location. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015, Nov-Dec;31(6):e142-5.

47. Bersani TA, Meeker AR, Sismanis DN, Carruth BP. Pediatric and adult vision restoration after optic nerve sheathe decompression for idiopathic intracranial hypertension.Orbit. 2016 Jun:35(3):132-9. Doi: 10.1080/01676830.2016.1176051. Epub 2016 May 10. PMID: 27163674

48. Jarstad AR, Grant LW, Carruth BP. D.O. There is no safe cigarette; An unusual, electronic orbital foreign body. Submitted for publication to Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. January, 2016.

49. Meeker AR, Ko MW, Carruth BP, Strumpf, Bersani TA. Diagnosis of optic nerve sheath meningioma during optic nerve sheath decompression. Orbit. 2017 Feb;36(1):35-38. Doi:10.108001676830.2017.1279648. Epub 2017 Feb 3. PMID: 28156180

50. Czyz C, Fowler A, Hill R et al. Piezosrugery in external dacryocystorhinostomy. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 33(1):69-71, January/February 2017

51. Cretara E, Swan R, Hill R. Diagnosis, treatment, and surgical repair in a case of isolated conjunctival lichen planus causing cicatricial entropion. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. May 2017.

52. Lifson, N, Pasquale A, Salloum G, Alpert S. Ophthalmic Manifestations of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome. Neuro-Ophthalmology. 2018; 43(3):180-184. DOI: 10.1080/01658107.2018.1506938

53. Wolkow N, Weinberg DA, Bersani TA, Yoon MK, Lefebvre DR, Lee NG, Situla FC, Mandeville JT, Hatton MP, Freitag SK. Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery in Patients 100 year and older. 2019 Jan/Feb:35(1):71-76 doi: 10.1097/IOP.00000000001174.

54. Adams SH, Huang NT, Bersani T, Alpert S. Lichen simplex chronicus of the eyelid: A case report and literature review. AmJ Ophthalmol Case Rep 2021 Nov:25;24 doi: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2021.101237

55. Salloum G, Dryden S, Meador AG, Kurochkin PD, Chamberlain BK, Fasig JH, Waynick CA, Wesley RE, Everman KR. Primary Melanoma of the Lacrimal Sac Treated with Pembrolizumab. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2020. DOI: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000001868

56. Salloum G, Crawford JJ, Dryden S, Meador, AG, Wesley RE, Klippenstein K. Lower Eyelid Ectropion Secondary to Over the Counter Treatment of Xanthelasma. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021.

57. Anderson C, Swan R, Hill R. Letter to the editor regarding the article: “Lacrimal gland botulinum toxin injection for epiphora management”. Orbit. September 2022.

58. Lifson, N, Salloum G, Kurochkin P, Bivona M, Yin H, Alpert S. Treatment outcomes on neovascularization after CRAO treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. 2022. DOI 10.22462/07.08.2021.

59. Hannah Yoo, Jordan Ueberrot, Collin Anderson, Khushali Shah, Codrin E Iacob and Bryant Carruth. Spontaneous globe rupture from an intraocular melanotic schwannoma. European Journal of Ophthalmology.Online June 2024

60. Dryden S, Gabbard R, Salloum G. Marginal Full Thickness Blepharotomy for Management of Orbital Compartment Syndrome. Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2024. DOI: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002600

61. Contento RJ, Anderson CJ, Hill RH, Carruth BP, Salloum G, Bersani TA. Exploratory Prospective Randomized Controlled Sturdy to Evaluate a Modified Botulinum Toxin Injection Pattern for Treatment of Benign Essential Blepharospasm. Cureus. 2025 Jan. doi:10.7759/cureus.76905

 

 

Contributions to books including chapters

1. Bersani TA, Hill RH, Carruth BP. Floppy eyelid syndrome repair. In: Manual of Oculoplastic Surgery; June 2018.

2. Carruth BP, Hill RH, Bersani TA. Ocular & Orbital: Viewpoint - Surgery; December 2014

3. Czyz CN, Hill, RH, Foster JA. Preoperative evaluation for the upper eyelid and brow. In: Clinics in Plastic Surgery: Brow and Upper eyelid Surgery, Multidisciplinary Insights. Volume 40, Number 1; January 2013.

4. Czyz CN, Hill, RH, Foster JA. Cosmetic use of botulinum toxin and fillers. In: Tse, DT, Wright, KW, eds. Color Atlas of Ophthalmic Surgery – Oculoplastic Surgery. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011.