What procedures are recommended to fix protruding eyes? (Photos)

Question

My eyes protrude a lot and I would love surgical recommendations on how to minimize or fix it all together! thank you in advance! For all I can remember growing up my eyes have always been pretty buggy and stick out way to much, but I feel like it looks worse now in some way, any advice is welcome thank you.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Your question is simple but the answer complex.  Exophthalmometrics must be documented and normal thyroid indices confirmed.  Relationship of globes to infraorbital rim assessed.  My approach to situations such as yours when patients desire a beautiful permanent solution has been piezo canthopexies and infraorbital implants.  There are alternatives.  See a good surgeon please, your face is attractive as is, the dictum "first do no harm" applies.

Carl Truesdale, MD · Answer

Protruding eyes usually refers to proptosis or exophthalmos, where the eyeball sits forward in the orbit. This can be from thyroid eye disease, congenital orbital shape, or rarely a tumor or other pathology. The first step in any evaluation is figuring out which.
If thyroid disease is suspected: blood work (TSH, free T4, thyroid antibodies) and an evaluation by an endocrinologist or ophthalmologist before any surgery. Thyroid eye disease has its own protocols including immunosuppression and a newer biologic (teprotumumab/Tepezza) that can reduce proptosis without surgery in active cases.
If the proptosis is congenital or stable after thyroid treatment: orbital decompression surgery is the definitive answer. This involves removing portions of the orbital walls (medial, lateral, or floor) to give the eye more room to sit back in the socket. It's performed by oculoplastic surgeons or facial plastic surgeons trained in orbital work. Recovery is 2 to 4 weeks for visible changes.
Cosmetic-only approaches that don't address the bony orbit: lower lid surgery to add support, sometimes lateral canthoplasty to reshape the eye opening, fat grafting to balance surrounding volume. These can help visually but won't move the globe backward.
What to do: see an oculoplastic surgeon first, not a general plastic surgeon. They have specific training for orbital anatomy and are usually the right starting point for evaluation. Bring any prior bloodwork or imaging. If decompression is indicated, choose a surgeon who does this routinely. Volume is the most reliable proxy for skill in orbital work.

What procedures are recommended to fix protruding eyes? (Photos)

Answers (2)

More Eyelid Surgery Questions

49 years old, lost 50 pounds. Under eye hollows and crepey skin - bleph, filler, or something else? (Photos)

Is it safe to get a fat repositioning lower bleph to fill in tear trough lines? (Photo)

Deep tear trough line - Lower bleph? Filler? Tear trough implant? (Photos)

62, facelift did not help. What are the best options to get rid of malar mounds? (Photo)

45, 4 kids, over 100 pound weight loss - Upper bleph or brow lift? (Photos)

Eye Asymmetry Options - how can this be improved? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS