Asian Eyelid Surgery

DOUBLE EYELID SURGERY

Asian blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery) is a procedure used to create a supratarsal fold in the upper eyelid of the patient who lacks such a crease. The supratarsal epicanthic fold is common to most ethnic groups, but is absent in approximately half of the Asian population.

Asian blepharoplasty requires a thorough understanding of the Asian eyelid anatomy.

Asian eyelids, even those with a natural upper lid crease, are quite different from Caucasian eyelids. An Asian upper eyelid crease widens until the middle of the eye and then runs parallel to the edge of the eyelid, whereas a Caucasian upper eyelid crease is more of a deep,upside-down “U” shape.
Rather than “westernizing” the eyelids, Dr. Walker recreastes the Asian eyelid crease to give Asian eyelid patients natural-looking double eyelid creases.

EPICANTHAL SURGERY – MEDIAL EYELID SURGERY

The epicanthal (part of the eyelid next to the nose) folds in Asian eyelids is one of their unique features, in combination with the lack of the supratarsal fold. The medial epicanthal fold represents an element of Asian beauty in a traditional way, many patients choose to keep this ethnic feature and have only the upper eyelid crease created. However, if an epicanthoplasty is performed the aesthetic result of the double eyelid procedure is enhanced by producing the image of an even larger eye than the double eyelid surgery alone.

While a strong desire to preserve ethnic identities prevails, cosmetic plastic surgery of the Asian eye is sought after to achieve new, beautiful eyes. Asian eyelid surgery has mainly focused on the creation of an upper eyelid crease, and it is true that excellent cosmetic results may be achieved without performing a medial epicanthoplasty. However, the creation of an upper eyelid crease without also performing medial eyelid surgery may produce eyes with a rounder and narrower eyelid open. This may lead to an unhappy patient, whose original ethnic beauty and identity has been lost without achieving the desired results of beautiful, new eyes. Dr. Walker takes these issues into consideration and thoroughly discusses the best option with her patients.