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Too Much of the Whites in my Eyes Show How Can This Be Fixed?

I was born like this I have not had surgery or any problems with my eyes. This is for cosemtic reasons only. Too much of the whites show at the bottom of my eyes and it make my eyes look different and I would like to know if this can be fixed?

Asked 35 months ago by Shonna

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eyes

Excessive white showing of the eyes

Your eyes are unique in that the upper portion of the pigmented portion of the eye is covered by the lid, while the lower portion shows a fair amount of white (sclera). This is a variant of a normal eye configuration. If the amount is objectionable or causes dry eye syndrome, it can be corrected. Your picture was not taken at a completely straight angle, and patients looking upward, especially patients with a prominent globe, will appear to have a problem worse than it actually is. First... more

Doctor's Website

Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Midface issue

Dear Shonrea, A full face photograph would be very helpful as how you position your face will have an effect on the degree of white showing under the colored portion of the eye. This show of white is called inferior scleral show. Normally, the lower eyelid margin rides the eye just at the inferior limbus. The limbus in the circle defined on the eye where the colored portion of the eye meets the white portion of the eye. So yes, it is true that your lower eyelid rides very low on the eye.... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

To fix or not to fix, that is the question

Many physicians and researchers have spent considerable time determining what the "most attractive" eyes are. We know angles, depth, skin, fat and many other things that are accepted to be the norms and the most attractive. One of those things is scleral show or how much white of the eye is seen below the iris or colored part of the eye. The "studies" have dictated that the lower lid should come up to the lower boarder to 2mm over the lower iris. However, I have a... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Canthopexy or canthoplasty is the treatment for this

Scleral show, which is what you are describing, can be an acquired defect after surgery or it can be congenital. If there are no functional issues, surgery is not truly necessary. However, if you are bothered by its cosmetic appearance, then I recommend a tightening procedure of the lower lid called canthopexy. Depending on the prominence of your eyes and the inherent tightening that is needed, there are a few types that can be recommended.

Sepehr Egrari, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Scleral show

This is called scleral show and can be either congenital or from previous blepharoplasty surgery, and it can be from taking too much skin out of the lower eyelids. This can be fixed through a canthopexy or canthoplasty where an incision is made at the lateral corner of the eye, and it is brought up and tightened up and sewn to the bone on the lateral orbital rim. This technique will bring up the eyelid and stop the scleral show, but it does tend to change the shape of the eyelid a little... more

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Yes, scleral show can be fixed

Start with the basics. A complete exam by your plastic surgeon to assess the eyelid structures. This extra show of white of the eye is not uncommon in people of color, but still, consideration must be given to the possibility of other conditions that could cause this, like Grave's disease, a thyroid condition that affects the eyes. After all that has been checked out, lid tightening or raising procedures can be performed. Be sure that the surgeon you choose is comfortable with the... more

Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

My recommendation is to leave it alone

My initial reaction would be to leave your eyes as they are. However, if you want a second opinion, I sometimes refer patients with your concern to a colleague across the street from my office in New York City. His name is Dr. Glen Jelks, and he may have had experience with your problem before.

Darrick E. Antell, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

See an Ophthamologist to make sure you don't have proptosis

I would have an eye exam to make sure you don't have proptosis or a bulging eye. Throid problems can cause this. Most likely, you just have scleral show, that is, more of the white showing below your iris (the colored part of your eye). Most commonly, this happens when the cheek is lower or flatter as opposed to a high cheek bone. This is the facial structure that you inherited. The only reason to have surgery would be if your eyes become irritated by wind, dust etc. A canthoplasty can... more

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Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Scleral show

You do have some scleral show. As long as your eyes can close normally without any dryness you do not need surgery. If you are doing this to change the shape of your eyes, a procedure that would support the lower lid structures and tighten the outer cathus will address this issue. A word of caution about this procedure as the lower lid is a very sensitive structure and there is a high risk for problems.