The Asian eye has its own set of key characteristics that must be respected if a physician is to perform successful procedures on them. Below, we go over those key aspects of the anatomy of the Asian eye.
These characteristics come into play most heavily in the process of performing a double eyelid surgery, or Asian eyelid surgery. This is a type of surgery directly aimed towards enhancing the appearance of this type of eyelid.
Key Aspects of the Anatomy of the Asian Eye
If you’re interested in receiving this type of treatment for yourself or are just interested in researching some of its elements, take a look at this primer on all of the key anatomical elements of the Asian eye.
What Happens During Asian Blepharoplasty?
Even though an Asian eyelid surgery is identical to a regular eyelid surgery, it uses a special set of methods to alter the distinctive characteristics of the Asian eye.
Asian eyelid surgery aims to highlight these wonderful qualities in order to exhibit them in a more attractive way, as opposed to attempting to reduce or erase them.
This is accomplished by creating a crease where none previously existed. In the end, this makes the eyes look bigger and more open.
The Benefits of Asian Blepharoplasty
All ages can benefit from Asian eyelid surgery. However, studies have even shown that some benefits may be seen more immediately by younger patients. Regardless, Asian Eyelid Surgery is particularly suited for the Asian eye.
These are only a few of their benefits:
- Reduced aging symptoms
- The eyes’ shape and symmetry have been improved.
- Lashes that seem longer
- A wider variety of expressions on the face
- A greater selection of cosmetic choices
This type of therapy is most usually given to patients in their 30s who are still relatively young. This is frequently the time when the subtle signs of aging start to appear.
This is typical because the area around the eyelids is frequently one of the first sections of the body to start exhibiting these mild symptoms.
Progress In Execution
A double eyelid procedure has always been thought of as being incredibly difficult for a doctor to do.
Fortunately, developments in the field have made it possible for medical experts to approach this surgery with higher levels of expertise and elegance.
According to general consensus, this procedure has evolved into a more “restorative” than “subtractive” practice, where the doctor approaches the procedure with the ideal being the construction of an aesthetically pleasing space rather than taking away aesthetically unpleasing elements of the client’s eye that make them unhappy.
Medically speaking, this suggests that the procedures have evolved a little bit in terms of their outcomes, with the final appearance typically seeming more natural and young.
Upper Eyelid Morphology
The Asian eye is distinct from other types of eyes for several reasons. Much of it has to do with the way that the canthal folds of the upper eyelid are shaped – this distinct “slant” creates a unique morphology that should be honored in a successful double blepharoplasty.
Modern medicine has identified several unique types to the eyelid – these are roughly compartmentalized into the following sub-categories:
- Low Eyelid Crease
- Double Eyelid
- Single Eyelid
An Asian eyelid falls under the double eyelid type. Under this type, there are three sub-categories to be aware of:
- Infold: The height of the upper lid crease is lower than the epicanthal fold.
- On-Fold: The height of the crease is right on the epicanthal fold.
- Outfold: The height of the crease is higher than the epicanthal fold.
Being aware of these subtypes gives the physician more accuracy and care when addressing the requests of a patient through eyelid surgery.
Skin
The eyelid skin is typically the thinnest skin of the body across ethnicities. The thinnest part of this skin is typically in an area near a part of the eye known as the ciliary margin. From this point, the skin usually becomes thicker closer to the eyebrow.
The difference between an Asian eyelid and other types of eyelids becomes more pronounced in an area known as the supratarsal area. When physicians don’t address these differences in skin thickness, mistakes can be made in surgery execution.
Orbicularis Oculi Muscle
The Orbicularis Oculi Muscle is a fast-twitch muscle found across ethnicities. The OOM is composed of pretarsal and preseptal parts.
The palpebral part of this muscle is partially responsible for the involuntary blinking of one’s eyelids. The orbital part functions in the process of forceful eyelid closure.
The OOM is innervated by the zygomatic and recurrent buccal branches of the facial nervous system. Injury to these nerves may interfere with eyelid closure.
Fat Pads
There are four identified fat pads in the Asian eyelid. These pads are as follows:
- Subcutaneous
- Pretarsal
- Submuscular
- Orbital
In the Asian eyelid, there is a heavy presence of the type of fat known as pretarsal fat. This fat, when present in excess, has the potential to make one’s eyes appear puffy.
Orbital Septum and Preaponeurotic Fat
In the Asian eyelid, there is a lower amount of preaponeurotic fat than in the eyelids of other ethnicities. This is a type of fat that is typically found on a section of the eyelid known as the upper tarsal border.
In addition, the attenuation of the inferior portion of the orbital septum in the Asian eyelid allows anterior-inferior herniation of the preaponeurotic fat pad instead. The functional mechanism for this type of fat is still generally unclear.
Upper Eyelid Retractors
The Upper Eyelid Retractors of an Asian eyelid are composed of three major elements. These include:
- Levator Palpebrae Superioris Muscle – This muscle is composed of two major branches, each with a different function. The upper branch is thick and continues distally as the Levator Aponeurosis. The thinner inferior branch is the origin of Muller’s Muscle.
- Levator Aponeurosis – This muscle originates from the
- Mullers Muscle – This muscle is a smooth muscle with a Tendon and originates from the LPS muscle mentioned above.
All of these muscles are padded by the various fat pads mentioned above, which cushion the musculature of this section of the eye.
Tarsus
The tarsal plate needs to be adequately comprehended in order to successfully execute an Asian eyelid surgery. This is because there are subtle differences in the physiology of the tarsal plate of Asian eyes.
The tarsal plate of the upper eyelid is, in most cases, generally narrower than it is in Caucasians. On the lower eyelid, the tarsal plate is typically not much different.
Eyelid Crease and Fold
The eyelid crease and fold are perhaps the culmination of all of the aforementioned elements of the Asian eyelid. These qualities give the Asian eyes its distinctive set of characteristics.
Generally speaking, the Asian eyelid has a lower crease than that of other ethnicities. This is primarily expressed through its positioning. Studies have found that the Asian eyelid is set approximately 2 mm lower than that of the Caucasian eyelid.
Epicanthal Fold
The epicanthal fold is another distinguishing element of the Asian eye. This is the term given to the semilunar flap of skin that descends alongside the nose from the upper eyelid to the middle of the lower eyelid.
The epicanthal fold is a unique aspect of the Asian eyelid, and plays an essential role in the double blepharoplasty process.
Typically, a physician will attempt to manipulate the epicanthal fold of a patient in order to make the Asian eyelid appear wider. Doing so accentuates the already-pleasing nature of the Asian eyelid while opening up a new dimension to a patient’s appearance.
Canthi
The canthi of an eye contain tendons, known as the canthal tendons, which are tendons of the OOM – the Orbicularis Orbital Muscle.
The qualities of this are subtly different in the Asian eye than in the eyelids of other ethnicities. Understanding these differences can mean the difference between a well-executed and poorly-executed procedure.
Setting Up a Consultation
Prior to any actual surgical work being done, you’ll head into your doctor’s office in order to schedule a pre-surgical consultation. This is standard practice in any major medical operation, including plastic surgery operations.
During this procedure, your physician will assess the needs of your unique situation and expectations regarding your procedure. In addition, you’ll be able to discuss any elements of your medical history that might influence the results of your surgery.
This is also an opportunity for you to express to your physician your hopes and goals regarding what you desire out of your procedure. Being as articulate as possible with this will ultimately lead to the highest chance of satisfaction.
All in all, it’s your best chance to make a solid game plan with your doctor so that the two of you can work together to produce the best results.
The Asian Eyelid Surgery Expert of Beverly Hills
Dr. Christopher Zoumalan and the rest of his team are dedicated to offering the residents of Beverly Hills the best in Asian Eyelid Surgery. If you’re interested in receiving this type of treatment, contact Dr. Zoumalan today in order to set up a consultation to discuss your options.
