Is there surgery to change the distance between the eyes?

Question

I have wide-set eyes. Given the impending possibility of whole-eye transplantation, would it then be possible to temporarily remove the eyes, move eye sockets closer together, then reinsert the eyes WITHOUT a craniotomy?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Craniofacial surgery is required.  It is only done to help the severely disfigured look more human.  It is not acceptable for cosmetic enhancement of an individual who is basically human.  As a point of correction, there are no "whole-eye transplantations." Eyes are not temporarily removed.  That is fantasy.

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

Changing the distance between your eyes is a challenging operation reserved for patients with major congenital craniofacial defects.   It would never be done for cosmetic reasons. If you remove your eyes you'll be permanently blind. Best wishes.

Craig R. Dufresne, MD · Answer

Dear steve_33,
There are options that can move the eyes closer together without a craniotomy but they still are major operations. An easier operation is sometimes making the bridge of the nose higher which makes the eyes appear closer together. Check with an experienced surgeon to get advised properly.

Damon B. Chandler, MD · Answer

There is no such thing as "whole eye transplantation." If the eyes are removed, you will be blind permanently. Major craniofacial surgery can be performed to change the position between the eye sockets -- you would need the combined services of a plastic surgeon and a neurosurgeon -- and it is a massive surgery. I would highly recommend against this kind of surgery unless you were suffering from a congenital deformity and had no other options to save your vision.Damon B. Chandler, MD
Harvard-Penn Trained Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon

Jeffrey H. Lee, MD · Answer

Unless things were extremely wide and considered a reconstruction, nobody would take the risk of such a huge operation to decrease the distance between the eyes.  That being said, if you have an epicanthal fold, doing an epicanthoplasty is a much smaller procedure that definitely gives the appearance of closer set eyes.

Is there surgery to change the distance between the eyes?

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