Everything You Need to Know about Eye Shape Surgery

If you’re like many people, you may want to know more about eye shape surgery. Maybe you’d like to alter the rounded appearance of your eyes or lift your lower eyelids for a less tired appearance.

People who undergo eye shape surgery, especially under the care of an experienced surgeon who’s published extensively on the procedures, often find improved self-confidence. If you live in the Los Angeles area, oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Mehryar (Ray) Taban is an expert in eye shape surgery. However, as it could alter your appearance, make sure you understand a few things about the procedure before you undergo it.

Is Eye Shape Surgery for Everyone?

Surgery to alter the shape of the eyes is not for everyone. One reason is that, if you’ve had previous eyelid surgery, it can present challenges. Another reason is that your expectations may be different from the reality of what surgery can accomplish. Finally, depending on the shape, an altered eye shape may not fit your anatomy or match your aesthetic goals.

That’s why a consultation with Dr. Taban is crucial. You and he can discuss the surgery goals, possible (realistic) results, and the ideal shape for your face.

Why Undergo Eye Shape Surgery?

Almond eyes are considered attractive and youthful-looking by many. The outer corner of the eye is slightly raised, like a cat’s, with the lower eyelid resting just below the lower edge of the iris (the colored portion of your eyeball) and with little or no white showing.

Because almond eyes are considered attractive, people with round eyes often undergo this procedure simply for aesthetics. Almond eye surgery can also be performed to correct a previous blepharoplasty surgery (eyelid surgery), which may have resulted in an appearance that looks “surgical” or undesirable.

For example, the lower eyelid may droop lower than it should as a result of the surgery. Or, the canthus may be more rounded than before. A canthoplasty can be performed by an expert oculoplastic surgeon to correct either of these.

What Is Canthoplasty?

Technically called a lateral canthoplasty, the procedure is a common way to alter the shape of the eye. When performed by a surgeon with Dr. Taban’s experience, skill, and technique, it is a minimally invasive procedure. It is often done on people with round eyes who want an almond shape or to correct undesirable aesthetic results from a prior blepharoplasty.

In this procedure, the lateral canthus, or outer corner of the eye, is tightened and/or repositioned to give the eye a natural-looking almond shape.

The result can be a beautiful almond-shaped eye.

What Can Be Expected from Canthoplasty?

A lateral canthoplasty is a delicate procedure in which the patient is under local anesthesia with open eyes, resulting in a slightly tapered appearance of the eye at the outer corner. The surgery takes less than an hour and typically causes swelling and/or bruising for 7-10 days.

Any discomfort is usually mild and lasts 1-2 days. Once the bruising and swelling subside, you can resume normal activities. Complete healing can take 1-2 months, although many patients heal in 2-3 weeks.

Canthoplasty v. Canthopexy

The two procedures might sound like they’re similar, but they are not. While a canthoplasty reshapes the outer corner of the eye, a canthopexy does not affect the shape at all. It simply reinforces the outer corner of the eye. Learn more about canthopexy at Wikipedia.org.

To Learn More About Eye Shape Surgery, Contact Dr. Taban for a Consultation

Although almond eye surgery can alter the appearance of the eye in a way that’s aesthetically pleasing, it’s not a procedure for everyone. To see if the procedure can match your aesthetic goals and benefit your appearance, contact TabanMD to schedule a consultation.