Eye Shape Change
What is Eye Shape Change?
In this article, we will discuss eye shape change and anatomy. Eyes are the focus of someone’s face. Eyes among individuals vary greatly in eye shape and size, influenced by someone’s race, sex, age, and unique genetics. There are various eye sizes and shapes that are beautiful, ultimately influenced by the individual’s specific mindset. Some people like larger eyes, some like smaller eyes, some like rounder eyes, some like more angled “cat eye” or almond shaped eyes or “fox eyes”. As they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” The most common desired eye shape is an almond-shaped eye with little or no sclera show (white under eye) that is open and youthful with no significant hollowness around eyes. Fox eyes surgery is another variation but natural results are important.
The anatomic features that determine eye shape change include the position and contour of the upper eyelid, position and contour of the lower eyelid, the position or angle of the outer corner of the eye (lateral canthus), the position and angle of the inner corner of the eye, the position and size of the eyeball, the position and size of the orbit (eye socket), and the amount of fat or hollowness present around eyes. Some of these features can be changed or tweaked in a safe manner to change someone’s eye shape in a natural way.
Careful analysis of each of these critical components in someone’s individual anatomy with further attention to patient’s desired goal combined with limitations of safe surgery will determine what realistic eye shape change is possible. It is important to understand that perfection is not possible. So called ideal eye shapes such as Bella Hadid eyes or Kendall Jenner eyes can be desired but ultimate transformation depends on several factors and again perfection is not possible.
There are various nonsurgical and surgical treatments that can be used to alter someone’s eye shape in a natural and safe way using minimally or less invasive techniques.
Nonsurgical treatments include careful placement of Botox injection and/or eyelid filler injection.
Surgical procedures include eyelid surgery or orbital surgery, such as:
- Upper blepharoplasty
- Lower blepharoplasty
- Droopy eyelid ptosis surgery
- Lateral canthoplasty
- Epicanthoplasty
- Almond eye surgery
- Lower eyelid retraction surgery
- Eyeball position surgery (orbital decompression vs. orbital implant)
- Infraorbital rim implant
Many times, a combination of procedures can be done in order to achieve the desired result, again with the understanding of what safe surgery can achieve with many limitations. A thorough careful analysis and discussion are necessary for consultation with an expert eye plastic (oculoplastic) surgeon.
Before & After Photos
Young Middle-Eastern male complained of inherited “frog eyes” with bulging eyes, lower eyelid retraction with sclera show, and sad eyes. He underwent cosmetic orbital decompression, lower eyelid retraction surgery, and canthoplasty to give more Almond Eye shape eyes. Before and 3 months postoperative photos are shown. (He could also benefit from upper eyelid ptosis repair which he declined.)
55-year-old female complained of saggy eyelids with loose skin. She underwent cosmetic eyelid surgery including upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, and lateral brow lift, under local anesthesia in the office. Before and 2 months postoperative photos are shown, with more youthful, yet natural, results. The change in eye shape depicts less saggy and more youthful eyes.
30 year old Asian female, from Shanghai China, with inherited tired and bulging appearing eyes, underwent almond eye surgery with lower eyelid retraction repair, cosmetic orbital decompression, and upper eyelid ptosis surgery. Before and 2 months after eye plastic surgery photos are shown. Note the change in eye shape.
20 year old male, complained of uneven asymmetric eyes. This is due to the sunken right eye from an orbital blow out fracture and congenital left lower eyelid retraction. He already had right orbital fracture repair by another surgeon with persistent enophthalmos (sunken eye). He underwent left orbital decompression plus left lower eyelid retraction surgery. He also underwent droopy upper eyelid ptosis surgery on both eyes. Before and 6 weeks after eye plastic surgery photos are shown. Note improved eye symmetry and youthful eyes.
18-year-old male, with congenital lower eyelid retraction with negative canthal tilt and droopy upper eyelids (ptosis), underwent almond eye surgery including lower eyelid retraction surgery (with internal alloderm spacer graft), canthoplasty, and upper eyelid ptosis surgery. Before and 3 months after cosmetic eye transforming surgery photos are shown.
24-year-old male, complained of looking sad and tired due to inherited lower eyelid retraction with negative canthal tilt and droopy upper eyelids (ptosis). He underwent almond eye surgery (lower eyelid retraction surgery using scar-less transconjunctival technique and canthoplasty) and upper eyelid ptosis repair. Before and 3 months after eye plastic surgery photos are shown. Note more upturned, almond shaped or fox eyes appearance with positive canthal tilt.
46-year-old female from the Netherlands, with lower eyelid retraction after botched lower blepharoplasty in the Netherlands with inherited negative canthal tilt, bulging eyes and droopy upper eyelid (ptosis), underwent corrective revision lower eyelid retraction surgery, orbital decompression surgery for bulging eyes, and droopy upper eyelid ptosis surgery. Before and 3 months after cosmetic eye plastic surgery selfie photos are shown. Note the improvement in eye shape change (and function).
Young Asian female, with inherited bulging eyes, lower eyelid retraction with sclera show, underwent scarless orbital decompression and lower eyelid retraction surgery. She can now close her eyes normally with improved natural eye shape.
27 year old transgender female, underwent eye transformation almond eye surgery including lower eyelid retraction surgery with canthoplasty, infraorbital rim silicone implant, orbital decompression bulging eye surgery, and upper eyelid filler injection. Before and 1 month after surgery photos are shown. Note more upturned eye shape (fox eyes) with positive canthal tilt.
30 year old African American man, with congenital droopy lower eyelids (lower eyelid retraction with negative canthal tilt) and bulging eyes and maxillary hypoplasia with sad tired eye appearance, underwent lower eyelid retraction surgery with canthoplasty, scarless orbital decompression bulging eye surgery, and infraorbital rim silicone implant. His before and after selfie photos are shown. Note change to more almond-shaped, upturned eye appearance with positive canthal tilt and “fox eyes”.
