Are infraorbital implants that dip into the eye socket safe and will they lift up lower eyelid? (Photo)

Question

I have an under eye boney deficiency causing my lower eyelid to sag. A friend of mine suggested infraorbital rim implants that go up and into the eye socket, a procedure some surgeons do. My question is will this actually help to lift up my eyelid, and is this even safe? It sounds pretty gruesomely invasive to have some solid forced right under the eyeball

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

What you have is upper eyelid ptosis and mild lateral negative canthal angle. This is probably best addressed with upper eyelid ptosis and lateral canthoplasty and not the use of orbital rim implants. The use of an infraorbital floor implant would be categorically incorrect. Please do not talk yourself into more surgery than you need. Don't over engineer this. Eyelids are not car engines.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Elevating the lower eyelids requires lower eyelid retraction surgery with canthoplasty. Implants are for volume instead. Best to have personal evaluation to determine.

Fred G. Fedok, MD, FACS · Answer

Your friend is correct to a point.  The implants are placed along the orbital rim and usually not directly under the globe itself.  The implants are usually used in order to correct a negative vector midface and help support the lower eyelid.  Not all plastic surgeons perform the procedure.  I have performed the procedure since the 1990s.  They is not a huge calling for the implant procedure, but I performed the procedure as recently as last year.  When a patient needs the implants to correct a specific deficiency or problem, they can be invaluable.  Fortunately,   I have never had a complication with the procedure, but be wary there is a potential.  It is important you see a practitioner with relevant experience.

Be well and best regards,

Fred G. Fedok, MD FACS

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

You are referring to an infraorbital rim implant style that augments the rim vertically as well as horizontally because its design saddles the rim rather than just is just placed in front of it. This is only available in a custom designed implant. This should not be confused with an implant that is placed under the eyeball.  (orbital floor implant) While such an infraorbital rim implant has the potential to help raise the lower eyelid such a desired effect needs to be combined with soft tissue procedures as well (canthoplasty, spacer grafts) to optimize the elevation of the lower eyelid.

Are infraorbital implants that dip into the eye socket safe and will they lift up lower eyelid? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Infraorbital Rim Implants

Answer: Infraorbital Rim Implants

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Are infraorbital implants that dip into the eye socket safe and will they lift up lower eyelid? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Infraorbital Rim Implants

Answer: Infraorbital Rim Implants

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.