Can I keep my monolid and improve my vertical peripheral vision via ptosis repair / blepharoplasty / other? (photos)

Question

I have excessive skin on my upper-lid and would love to get some out of the way, but wish to keep my monolid. I am mostly trying to open the outer corners of the eyes. (current state & desired effect pictured below) I visited an ophthalmologist, a plastic surgeon, and 2 oculoplastic surgeons in NJ and none have experience with this specific request. Wondering if it is possible before going to any more costly consults. Is there anyone who has experience doing this or has gotten it done?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

You need to narrow down a surgeon to someone who actually has experience dealing with Asian eyelids.  Otherwise, you are wasting your time and putting yourself at risk.You have upper eyelid ptosis and an absent double fold.  In lifting your eyelid and correctly or more accurately, improving your ptosis, the excess skin will need to be addressed.This means that some sort of upper eyelid incision will be needed.  If the crease is made too high, it will effectively create the appearance of a double fold.  The answer is to do ptosis surgery ideally with a conjunctival muellerectomy provided you are a candidate.  The skin on the upper eyelid can be removed with a very low crease close to the eyelashes without an anchor.  It will make a crease scar but this can hide upper the upper eyelid fold essentially preserving the appearance of the upper eyelid.You may very well have to travel out of your area to get this surgery.

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD, FACS · Answer

It is always difficult to tell from photos but it looks like you have ptosis in addition to having a 'monolid".  Ptosis repair can be done without changing the eyelids significantly and keeping a natural result.  This is done by making the incision low, within the natural area of the crease and tightening the levator muscle without removing any fat from the eyelid and usually not removing skin either (sometimes I remove a small amount of skin for the best cosmesis).   An oculoplastic surgeon who has experience with Asian eyelids, such as myself, should be able to explain the options after doing a series of measurements to see how the eyelids are functioning.  Most patients can have surgery to improve the peripheral vision and maintain a natural appearance so it doesn't look like you've "had your eyes done".Best of luck!

Naveen Somia, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

You should seek someone who does a lot of Asian Eyelids, ( consider travelling to Asia, obviously having done some research and check credentials). It may be difficult to correct the droopy eyelid, remove the excess skin and NOT have a scar that will create  a fold.

Can I keep my monolid and improve my vertical peripheral vision via ptosis repair / blepharoplasty / other? (photos)

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Can I keep my monolid and improve my vertical peripheral vision via ptosis repair / blepharoplasty / other? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.