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Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS

Specializes in: Ocular Oncology
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (1978)
Professional interests include: orbital tumors, eyelid reconstruction, tear duct problems (lacrimal apparatus), and more.
4901 Forest Park Avenue Department Ophthalmology, 6th Floor
Saint Louis, MO 63108

Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS is an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO specializing in ocular oncology. He graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1978 and has 48 years of experience. Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS is affiliated with WashU Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

View Doctor's Full Profile (314) 362-3937

Office Locations

4901 Forest Park Avenue Department Ophthalmology, 6th Floor
Saint Louis, MO 63108
(314) 362-3937
(314) 362-3725
open_in_new
4901 Forest Park Avenue Floor: 6
Saint Louis, MO 63108
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Some issues Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS can help you with:

Eyelid Reconstruction

Eyelid reconstruction is a surgical procedure to correct defects that typically arise from traumatic injury to the eye or after skin cancer removal on the eyelid. The surgery aims to preserve eyelid function and to improve its appearance.

The choice of reconstruction technique depends on the size and severity of the defect. If tissue loss is small to moderate, the wound may simply be sutured close. For larger defects, however, tissue from other parts of the body may be needed. Tissue may be taken (or harvested) from the ear, scalp, abdomen, roof of the mouth, inside of the check, or the eyelid itself.

The Hughes procedure and the Cutler-Beard procedure are reconstruction techniques that use eyelid tissue. In the Hughes procedure, a piece of neighboring tarsoconjunctival tissue is cut, slid onto the wound, and then sutured together. The tarsoconjunctiva is made up of the connective tissue that provides support to the eyelid, called tarsus, and the membrane covering the white of the eyes, called conjunctiva. This technique is suited for defects that are located on the sides of the eyelid. The Cutler-Beard procedure requires a thicker segment of tarsoconjunctival tissue and is used to repair defects in the center of the eyelid.

Eyelid reconstruction is commonly done at an outpatient facility. There will be bruising and swelling for about four to ten days following surgery. Patients should keep their heads elevated, use cold compress, and apply antibiotic cream on their eyelids for the first few days. Strenuous activities must be avoided for four weeks, but patients may be able to return to work after about a week.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

biopsy
canalicular probing
full-thickness skin grafting
incisional eyelid biopsy
wound repair

By Affordability:

canalicular probing
full-thickness skin grafting
lacrimal surgery
lacrimal procedures
skin grafting
tear duct probing

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within Missouri, Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS performed more biopsy, canalicular probing, full-thickness skin grafting, incisional eyelid biopsy, and wound repair (e.g. stitches) procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of them and he also had a list price for canalicular probing, full-thickness skin grafting, lacrimal surgery, lacrimal (tearing system) procedures, skin grafting, and tear duct probing that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 25%

By Volume:

extraocular surgery
eyelid lesion excision

In 2012, Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS performed more extraocular surgery, and eyelid lesion excision procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within Missouri.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2012 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, minimally invasive procedures and injections.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 14
doctor visit 361
excision 62
eye procedures 664
injections 106
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 53
minimally invasive procedures 106
plastic surgery procedures 132
reconstructive surgery 44
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 62
tissue transfer 44
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 89

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2013 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, lacrimal (tearing system) procedures and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 329
excision 39
eye procedures 537
injections 61
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 63
minimally invasive procedures 61
plastic surgery procedures 94
reconstructive surgery 33
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 39
tissue transfer 33
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 53

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 203
Female 318
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 468
Black 39
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 250
From 75 to 84 153
85 and over 65
Less than 65 53

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2013

Hypertension 66
High Cholesterol 55
Stroke 3
Ischemic Heart Disease 31
Depression 21
Chronic Kidney Disease 16
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 24
Dementia 7
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2014 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, wound repair (e.g. stitches) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 514
excision 41
eye procedures 168
injections 53
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 47
minimally invasive procedures 53
plastic surgery procedures 64
reconstructive surgery 36
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 41
tissue transfer 36
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 57

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 202
Female 261
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 406
Black 42
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 205
From 75 to 84 159
85 and over 58
Less than 65 41

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2014

Hypertension 64
High Cholesterol 54
Stroke 4
Ischemic Heart Disease 32
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 20
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 25
Dementia 7
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2015 were eye procedures, minimally invasive procedures, injections and wound repair (e.g. stitches).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 19
doctor visit 526
excision 41
eye procedures 187
injections 54
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 36
minimally invasive procedures 54
plastic surgery procedures 41
reconstructive surgery 25
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 41
tissue transfer 25
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 43

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 368
Female 532
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 788
Black 76
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 414
From 75 to 84 260
85 and over 140
Less than 65 86

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2015

Hypertension 66
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 17
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 24
Dementia 5
Cancer 14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2016 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, minimally invasive procedures and injections.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 17
doctor visit 546
excision 39
eye procedures 185
injections 68
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 47
minimally invasive procedures 68
plastic surgery procedures 80
reconstructive surgery 45
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 39
tissue transfer 45
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 67

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 184
Female 283
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 407
Black 43
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 212
From 75 to 84 155
85 and over 62
Less than 65 38

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2016

Hypertension 67
High Cholesterol 54
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 31
Depression 20
Chronic Kidney Disease 27
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 29
Dementia 8
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2017 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, wound repair (e.g. stitches) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 11
doctor visit 504
excision 35
eye procedures 181
injections 51
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 36
minimally invasive procedures 51
plastic surgery procedures 93
reconstructive surgery 49
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 35
tissue transfer 49
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 69

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 178
Female 286
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 391
Black 40
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 18
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 205
From 75 to 84 140
85 and over 64
Less than 65 55

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2017

Hypertension 65
High Cholesterol 48
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 32
Depression 22
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 13
Heart Failure 19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 24
Dementia 10
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2018 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, wound repair (e.g. stitches) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 12
doctor visit 528
excision 42
eye procedures 188
injections 57
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 42
minimally invasive procedures 57
plastic surgery procedures 94
reconstructive surgery 45
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 42
tissue transfer 45
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 69

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 202
Female 285
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 435
Black 30
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 232
From 75 to 84 154
85 and over 53
Less than 65 48

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2018

Hypertension 65
High Cholesterol 57
Stroke 4
Ischemic Heart Disease 31
Depression 22
Chronic Kidney Disease 24
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 22
Dementia 8
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2019 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, wound repair (e.g. stitches) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 13
doctor visit 469
excision 42
eye procedures 194
injections 55
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 41
minimally invasive procedures 55
plastic surgery procedures 87
reconstructive surgery 39
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 42
tissue transfer 39
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 60

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 184
Female 266
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 410
Black 26
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 212
From 75 to 84 152
85 and over 53
Less than 65 33

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2019

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 3
Ischemic Heart Disease 30
Depression 24
Chronic Kidney Disease 24
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 12
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 25
Dementia 8
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2020 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, minimally invasive procedures and wound repair (e.g. stitches).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 23
doctor visit 361
excision 33
eye procedures 143
injections 55
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 27
minimally invasive procedures 55
plastic surgery procedures 75
reconstructive surgery 41
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 33
tissue transfer 41
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 55

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 147
Female 198
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 301
Black 28
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 161
From 75 to 84 103
85 and over 42
Less than 65 39

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2020

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 3
Ischemic Heart Disease 29
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 27
Asthma 4
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 21
Dementia 7
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2021 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, wound repair (e.g. stitches) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 16
doctor visit 430
excision 42
eye procedures 170
injections 49
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 33
minimally invasive procedures 49
plastic surgery procedures 91
reconstructive surgery 45
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 42
tissue transfer 45
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 65

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 156
Female 229
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 341
Black 18
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 14
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 166
From 75 to 84 148
85 and over 38
Less than 65 33

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2021

Hypertension 66
High Cholesterol 57
Stroke 4
Ischemic Heart Disease 33
Depression 20
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 26
Dementia 9
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO during 2022 were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, wound repair (e.g. stitches) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures 14
doctor visit 365
excision 35
eye procedures 151
injections 37
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 29
minimally invasive procedures 37
plastic surgery procedures 57
reconstructive surgery 23
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 35
tissue transfer 23
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 43

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Male 143
Female 198
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 304
Black 11
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 15
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 150
From 75 to 84 132
85 and over 30
Less than 65 29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS in 2022

Hypertension 72
High Cholesterol 72
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 26
Depression 19
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 13
Atrial Fibrilation 18
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 17
Diabetes 20
Dementia 4
Cancer 18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated as an oncologist in Saint Louis, MO were eye procedures, plastic surgery procedures, wound repair (e.g. stitches) and minimally invasive procedures.

diagnostic procedures 15
doctor visit 448
excision 41
eye procedures 251
injections 58
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures 41
minimally invasive procedures 58
plastic surgery procedures 82
reconstructive surgery 38
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 41
tissue transfer 38
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 60

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS.

Gender
Female 259
Male 178
Ethnicity
Black / African American 32
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 386
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 0
Other 4
Age
85 and over 55
75 to 84 141
Less than 65 41
65 to 74 200

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension 59
High Cholesterol 50
Stroke 3
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 18
Chronic Kidney Disease 20
Asthma 6
Osteoporosis 8
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 21
Atrial Fibrillation 10
Dementia 6
Cancer 11

Education & Training

Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1978. He completed residency at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis. He is certified by the Ophthalmology and has a state license in Missouri.

Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (1978)

Residency: Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis (1982)

Board Certification: Ophthalmology

Licensed In: Missouri

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

WashU Medicine
St. Louis Children's Hospital
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 10 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Philip L. Custer, MD, FACS from all over the web to help you find the right in Saint Louis, MO. 

4.98
Overall Rating
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Biography

Dr. Philip Custer practices ocular oncology in Saint Louis, MO. His areas of expertise include orbital tumors, ectropion (outward-turned eyelid), and tear duct problems (lacrimal apparatus). Dr. Custer is rated highly by his patients. He accepts several insurance carriers, including Anthem, Blue California, and Coventry. Dr. Custer is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a graduate of Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis' residency program. He speaks Spanish. He is professionally affiliated with St. Louis Children's Hospital, WashU Medicine, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He welcomes new patients at his office inSaint Louis, MO as reported by BJC HealthCare.

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