Dr. Robert Applebaum

Dr. Nathan Blessing is an oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, he provides advanced care for the eyelids, orbit, lacrimal system, and periocular skin. His clinical expertise spans aesthetic eyelid and brow surgery, ptosis repair, thyroid eye disease, lacrimal disorders, reconstruction after skin cancer removal, and complex orbital trauma.Dr. Blessing graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University before earning his medical degree with Special Distinction from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine (AOA). He completed ophthalmology residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and an ASOPRS-accredited two-year fellowship in oculoplastic surgery at Bascom Palmer. He has taught and lectured nationally and internationally and is fluent in English with conversational Spanish. Patients appreciate his precise surgical technique and kind, collaborative manner focused on safety, function, and natural-looking results.

Dr. Kevin Clauss is an oculoplastic surgeon focused on functional and cosmetic eyelid, brow, orbit, and tear-drainage disorders. He offers a full spectrum of procedures—from blepharoplasty and ptosis repair to brow lifting, lacrimal surgery, and complex reconstruction after Mohs surgery—always with a careful eye for both vision and aesthetics. He also treats eyelid malpositions and orbital fractures and provides in-office options for benign eyelid lesions and periocular rejuvenation. Raised in Albuquerque, Dr. Clauss graduated with high honors in Neurobiology from The University of Texas at Austin and earned his medical degree at UT Health San Antonio, where he graduated in the top 5% and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed ophthalmology residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/University of Miami and went on to two years of advanced, ASOPRS-accredited oculoplastic and orbital surgery training. He brings a friendly, detailed approach to care, helping each patient understand choices and feel comfortable through recovery.

Dr. Irene T. Lee is a board-certified ophthalmologist with ASOPRS fellowship training in oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. She specializes in functional and aesthetic surgery of the eyelids, eyebrows, face, tear ducts, and eye sockets, helping patients address concerns that affect comfort, vision, and confidence.Dr. Lee graduated summa cum laude from Rice University and earned her medical degree at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. She completed her ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt Eye Institute, where she served as chief resident, and then pursued a two-year, ASOPRS-accredited oculofacial plastics fellowship at Duke Eye Center.Known for a warm, attentive style, Dr. Lee takes time to understand each patient’s goals and builds a personalized plan focused on safety, function, and natural-looking results.