I have no thyroid issues, and my eyeS have been like this since birth. I had surgery to correct exotropia in 2013. I plan on getting a blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and a lip lift, but in examining my profile (something I don't often do because I think it's quite hideous), I noticed that my eyes are not set behind my eyebrows the way most people have, but they are level or even in front. Is this something that can be corrected? What are the risks associated with it?
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It's hard to tell from your photos since you excluded the cheek bone and the rest of the brow bone, but most of these findings are usually due to the bones not being prominent enough, rather than eyes being too prominent. Be sure to discuss your goals and concerns with your board certified plastic surgeon and consider the pros and the cons. Be certain your surgeon is properly certified. I've attached a link where you can start your search.
Dr. Reza Momeni, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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Thank you for your question. In reviewing your photos it is apparent that you have something called a negative vector. This implies that the eye lies in front of the orbital bones predominately of the inferior rim. This is an issue that I've seen many times in my practice and have corrected by augmenting volume to the lower rim. This helps balance the eyes tremendously. Often times I have seen patients were the superior orbital rim or the upper bone is behind the eyeball as well. In this case I will fat graft to that area as. This is a highly successful surgery but it requires that you see a specialist in the face. I recommend seeing a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Have a great day.
Dr. Roberto E. Garcia, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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Thanks for positing your photos. First of all, this is not an uncommon finding in people and typically a result of either the position of the eyes relative to the bony orbit, and/or the anatomy and position of the cheek bones relative to the bony orbit and eyes. The application of dermal fillers to augment a flat bony cheek may help create better symmetry in the area. See an specialist for a comprehensive examination and to learn more.
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The critical question is whether your eyes are protrusive or whether the superior and inferior orbital rim bones are deficient. Without an overall view of your face that determination can not be accurately made. But it is most likely that the orbital rims are the culprit.
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There are several options for improving prominent eyes. Filler or volume can be placed around the eyes and to the midface etc or one can move the eyes back. Moving the eyes back can coke with risks but our group has done this thousands of times.