Eye Surgery, Double Eyelid Revision Surgery Q&A

Eye Surgery, Double Eyelid Revision Surgery Q&A

Q : I had double eyelid surgery with epicanthoplasty N years ago, but it soon became an ‘inner double eyelid’. My eyes are naturally deep-set and my eyelids are droopy. Can I have revision surgery?

A : Generally, if the double eyelid line is raised within an appropriate range and the covered skin and tissue are removed within an appropriate range,

you can achieve a more refreshed-looking double eyelid compared to before the surgery.

However, for deep-set eyes, due to the position of the eyeball, there is a certain limit to achieving a refreshed-looking double eyelid line.

Therefore, it is best to determine the exact surgical method and details through a thorough consultation.

Q : After incisional double eyelid surgery with ptosis correction, my eyes became severely asymmetrical, so I had only one side revised, but the asymmetry seems worse. Can I undo one side?

A : While there are various factors that cause asymmetrical eyes, the main ones are: first, the height of the double eyelids on both sides;

second, the extent to which the black pupils are visible on both sides;

and third, the inner shape of the double eyelid line must be similar or identical on both sides to avoid an asymmetrical appearance.

If the asymmetry is severe, it is likely due to one of these three issues, and the solution will vary depending on the problem.

Especially if there is a difference in the extent to which the black pupils are visible on both sides after incisional ptosis correction, as well as a difference in the height of the double eyelids on both sides, revision surgery is necessary for correction.

If one side is overcorrected, simply undoing one side can create another asymmetry, so it may be better to proceed with an incisional method on both sides if possible.

However, if it has been less than 6 months since the surgery and it is not overcorrection, the asymmetry might be due to swelling after the surgery, so it is advisable to wait for sufficient recovery before proceeding.

Q : I had incisional double eyelid surgery, but I think I have ptosis. Should I have both double eyelid surgery and ptosis correction, or can I just have ptosis correction?

A : There are two main methods for correcting ptosis: incisional ptosis correction and non-incisional ptosis correction.

Generally, for eyes with mild ptosis, non-incisional ptosis correction can be sufficiently considered.

If the ptosis is severe, where the upper eyelid covers a significant portion of the pupil and gives a very sleepy appearance, incisional ptosis correction would be necessary.

Especially when performing ptosis correction on eyes with severe ptosis, the eyes generally become larger, and the double eyelid tends to become more buried and thinner. Therefore, for eyes that require significant change through ptosis correction, it is advisable to perform double eyelid surgery together.

Q : If I can only choose one between lateral canthoplasty and lower canthoplasty, which one should I choose?

A : Generally, lateral canthoplasty can be thought of as a surgery that increases the horizontal width of the white part of the eye at the outer corner of the pupil, and lower canthoplasty is a surgery that increases the vertical width.

Also, there is a limit to how much the outer corner of the eye can be opened with lateral canthoplasty, depending on the position of the outer orbital bone. For lower canthoplasty, the limit is the extent to which severe ‘scleral show’ (three whites of the eye) is not created.

Therefore, if you are considering canthoplasty, you should consider the type of canthoplasty needed based on your current eye shape and also consider the limits of the space that can be opened with each type of canthoplasty.

Q : Do bigger double eyelid lines make eyes look bigger?

A : Within an appropriate balance, a higher double eyelid line does give the impression of more refreshed eyes than a lower one.

However, if the height exceeds the appropriate balance, it is more likely to give a ‘sausage-like’ appearance rather than a refreshed look. Therefore, making the double eyelid line too large requires professional consideration of the overall balance of the eyes.

Thus, it is best to proceed with the exact surgical method and details through a thorough consultation with a dedicated medical professional.

Q : My eyes look fierce. What should I do?

A : If your eyes look fierce, there are about two things to consider.

First, the horizontal to vertical ratio of the eye. The larger the vertical length compared to the horizontal length of the eye, the rounder the eyes appear, which can give a softer eye shape.

Second, the position of the outer corner of the eye. The more the outer corner of the eye appears to be lifted upwards, the fiercer the eye shape looks.

Therefore, to create a softer eye appearance, it is advisable to consider surgeries that can increase the vertical width of the eye, such as ptosis correction or double eyelid lower canthoplasty.

If the outer corners of your eyes appear significantly lifted, it is advisable to consider surgeries that appropriately lower the position of the outer corners of the eyes while performing lower canthoplasty and lateral canthoplasty.