How to get rid of eyefolds on the inner corner? (Photo)

Thank you for your question. I understand you’re unhappy with the appearance of the inner corners of your eyes, and you’d like to know about options on how to reveal more of them, and non-surgically if possible. I can certainly give you some perspective on this matter as Asian eyelid surgery is an area of expertise in my practice. I’m a Board-certified cosmetic surgeon and Fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, practicing in Manhattan and Long Island for over 20 years.What you describe is a variation of the anatomic feature common in Asians called an epicanthal fold. The classification of epicanthal folds determines the type of surgical options that you can consider. Essentially, there are two ways to accomplish your goal, but keep in mind that there is a downside to both. The first option is by pinching the nose. When you elevate the bridge of your nose, more of the inner canthus can be seen. Some people achieve this by means of a rhinoplasty, wherein cartilage is used to raise the bridge of the nose. The second option is a procedure called an epicanthoplasty. This is a more conservative approach — it’s a set of incisions around the epicanthal fold and it’s movement of skin to allow exposure of the lacrimal lake which elongates the width of the eye.In your case, I am concerned about scarring of an epicanthoplasty, especially since you are still young. The scars from this particular procedure can initially get quite thick, and will require a lot of TLC, and proper management and aftercare. You must really consider the motivation behind this and whether it’s justifiable in your situation. In addition to this, the relative risk of scarring depends on the type of skin you have, so you have to be willing to accept the possibility of the risk for scarring. I recommend that you meet with doctors who perform epicanthoplasty and learn more about your options and risks before committing to having a procedure done. I would say that based on your photos, I think that enough of your lacrimal lake shows and that pursuing those extra millimeters so that you could see the inner corner does not justify the risk of scars.I hope that was helpful and I wish you the best of luck!This personalized video answer to your question is posted on RealSelf and on YouTube. To provide you with a personal and expert response, we use the image(s) you submitted on RealSelf in the video, but with respect to your privacy, we only show the body feature in question so you are not personally identifiable. If you prefer not to have your video question visible on YouTube, please contact us.

Hello RicB, thank you for your question and photos.  The surgery to remove epicanthal folds and to extend the inner corners of the eyelids is known as medial epicanthoplasty.  It is a very common adjunctive surgical procedure that is performed along with Asian blepharoplasty.  When designed correctly and performed meticulously in the right surgical candidate, the result can be very natural.  I'd recommend that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in performing Asian blepharoplasty and medial epicanthoplasty for a in-person consultation.  Good luck!

Thank you for sharing your case and photos.  Your condition is called Epicanthal folds and is common among Asians.  Often, surgery cannot fully correct the problem while maintaining a natural look.  Schedule a consultation with a board certified Oculoplastic surgeon to discuss your goals.  Good luck!