Can I loosen my orbicularis muscle?

Question

I was wondering if there was any sugery to loosen the orbicularis muscle. When I smile it becomes very tight and even when my face is relaxed I feel light my gotten lid gets in the way of my sight. I have no fat on my lowest eye lids only muscle. Is there any recommended sugery?

Catherine Weng, MD · Answer

The orbicularis oculi muscle is a circular muscle which when it contracts is responsible for closing the eye and squinting.  It can be weakened by injecting botox which can smooth fine lines in the crows feet.  If your symptom is that your eyelids get in the way of your site, an upper blepharoplasty can remove excess skin.  It is difficult to know for sure exactly what is causing your symptoms without evaluating you in person.  I recommend consulting with a board certified facial plastic surgeon in your area to get to the bottom of the cause of your concern.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD (retired) · Answer

Many people may have folds or wrinkles from the action of the orbicularis muscle, one of the important eyelid muscles.  The orbicularis can create bunching or wrinkling with smiling or squinting.Management varies depending upon the pattern of the contraction and bulk of the muscle. BOTOX can be very useful to diminish effects of the muscle. Surgical approaches can include trimming, tightening or suspending (lifting at the corner of the eye) the muscle.Be sure to get consultation with at least one surgeon with extensive experience with this problem.

Can I loosen my orbicularis muscle?

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Can I loosen my orbicularis muscle?

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