What can I do to fix my lower eyelids? (photos)

Question

My lower eyelids have always been a little strange looking - they don’t seem to provide any support to my eyeball, and I think it looks weird that they don’t touch. I also am a little insecure about how much the whites of my eyes show on the bottom, and very insecure about the dark circles that my strange eyelid anatomy seems to cause. Is blepharoplasty something that would help all this, or what are my options?

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

You have inherited lower eyelid retraction with sclera show. You may be candidate for lower eyelid retraction surgery to make eyes more almond shaped. It is critical to understand that canthoplasty alone will not only correct the problem but can distort your eyes. Consultation with expert is important.

Daniel M. Calloway, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding your lower eyelids.You are correct in that your anatomy is a variation of "normal".  You have a condition known as Malar hypoplasia which describes the lack of supportive bone and soft tissue below the lower eyelids.  This lack of support and projection causes your lower eyelids to "droop" causing the whites (sclera of the eyes) to be visible below the iris (colored part of the eye).  It is somewhat difficult to see the details in the closeup of your eye, but it appears that you have a notch in the middle of the lower eyelid margin suggesting previous surgery or trauma?Regardless, your lower eyelids can be corrected through surgery to elevate and support the lower eyelids, usually with correction of the malar hypoplasia during the same procedure.  You should consider consulting with a board certified Plastic Surgeon, preferable one who is also an Oculoplastic Surgeon (surgical specialist of the eyelids).  Good luck with your surgery!

Ivan Vrcek, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo. I do see the changes in your lower eyelids that you are noticing. As you correctly stated, there are many different variations in anatomy in the lower eyelid and cheek region. From your photos, you appear have what some surgeons refer to as a negative factor (not a bad thing). This occurs when there is relatively deficient support in the cheekbone for the lower eyelid complex. This can result in some retraction of the lower eyelid and scleral show or white between the eyelid and the colored part of the eye. This is certainly something that can be fixed but typically requires a more complex blepharoplasty in which some volume or support is added in the cheek region. This can either be done with fat grafting or a small implant along the cheekbone. Consider finding an ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeon in your area for a consultation.
Best of luck!

What can I do to fix my lower eyelids? (photos)

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What can I do to fix my lower eyelids? (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.