Epicanthoplasty

Overview

Asians are vulnerable to prominent epicanthal folds, which are skin folds that cover the inner corner of the eyes. Furthermore, a lower nasal bridge might draw attention to epicanthic folds, also known as Mongolian folds. Epicanthoplasty is a surgical cosmetic technique used to eliminate these ugly fierce-looking folds of eyelid skin, resulting in a more symmetrical, youthful, and energetic appearance.

What is Epicanthoplasty?

Epicanthoplasty is a simple surgical technique used to eliminate these unattractive folds. Although a modest expression of the epicanthal fold may be a distinguishing and appealing characteristic of the Asian eye, a more prominent epicanthal fold can cause the eyes to seem excessively widely apart, round, and tiny. Double eyelid surgery and Epicanthoplasty may be indicated in this case. 

In Epicanthoplasty, rearranging of the tissue between the lower eyelid and inner eye occurs which result in disclosing the medial canthus and medial palpebral fornix and expanding the palpebral fissure. Epicanthal fold surgery should be conducted in such a way that scarring in this crucial cosmetic area is minimized.

As previously stated, this epicanthal fold removal technique can be combined with Asian double eyelid (crease) surgery. Epicanthoplasty, like most other eyelid surgeries, is performed as an outpatient treatment under local anaesthetic, with or without sedation. About a week following surgery, the stitches are removed. Bruising and swelling usually go away within 7-10 days of the procedure.

In Asian patients, double-eyelid blepharoplasty and Epicanthoplasty are generally done concurrently to provide an aesthetically acceptable eye look, however the epicanthal region is prone to scarring.

What are Epicanthal Folds?

About three out of every five Asians have a Mongolian fold, which hides the medial region of the eyes and makes them appear smaller than the rest of the facial features. If a candidate has a Mongolian fold, the outcome may be less successful or less natural-looking if only double eyelid surgery is performed without Epicanthoplasty.

Eyelid surgery, when coupled with Epicanthoplasty, can result in more equal length between the eyes as well as a more delicate and defined eye appearance. In the case of Asian patients, the surgeon must use caution to avoid removing the entire epicanthal fold. In such a circumstance, the patient may lose their natural Asian identity.

Much of the epicanthal fold may be removed in Asians with a harsher appearance, leaving only a small fraction. This will give you a softer, more open look. Patients with existing round facial features, on the other hand, should have a little epicanthal fold to contrast sharper eyes with other softer elements of the face following surgery.

The Mongolian fold is the top eyelid skin that covers the inner corners of the eyes. Epicanthoplasty is typically performed owing to flaws in the skin protecting the inner corners of the eyes, such as: 

• It causes an awkwardness to the eyes because it makes the distance between both eyes look too far. 
• Eyes appear smaller than they are. 
• The folds give the eyes an undefined look. 

Simply expressed, this skinfold can diminish the attractiveness of the eyelid by giving it a smaller lateral aspect and a weary appearance. Although the epicanthic fold and Mongolian fold are both linked with less noticeable upper eyelid wrinkles, or "single eyelids," they are not the same. An individual might have both an upper eyelid crease and an epicanthal fold, or only one of them.

Epicanthoplasty is not just a cosmetic procedure; it is sought after by men and women who have unusually large folds that affect not only the appearance but also the physiology of the eyes, making them seem larger.

Medial & Lateral Epicanthoplasty 

Epicanthoplasty is done in two ways:

Medial Epicanthoplasty

Epicanthoplasty of this sort entails cutting into the skin fold in the inner corner of the eye (canthus) to increase the breadth of each eye and therefore reduce the gap between them. The skin redraping approach is favored for medial Epicanthoplasty, which involves cutting the epicanthal fold and then separating and suturing the resultant flaps. The ultimate outcome is that the epicanthal fold is corrected and eliminated, resulting in a bigger and more appealing eye. This procedure decreases the dangers of hypertrophic scarring and keloid development, which are unexpectedly common in other treatments.

Medial Epicanthoplasty can be done alone or in conjunction with upper blepharoplasty. It is carried out under local anesthetic. The treatment takes around 30-45 minutes. After one week, the sutures are removed. During the one-week period, a specific antibiotic cream will be provided for the patient, and the patient is recommended to limit physical activity.

Lateral Epicanthoplasty 

Lateral Epicanthoplasty, on the other hand, lengthens the eye by cutting into the outer canthus to modify the slant of the eye. This results in a more harmonious appearance and is indicated for patients who have an unwanted upward tilt in the outside eye corner or inadequate visibility of the sclera (white of the eye).

This operation, like medial Epicanthoplasty, can be performed alone or in conjunction with an upper blepharoplasty. After one week, the stitches are also removed.

What are the Benefits of Epicanthoplasty?

The benefits are many:

• As whiter (sclera) is visible, the eyes appear bigger and longer, and hence more brilliant.
• Parallelization of tapered double eyelid folds
• The distance between eyes that appear to be too far apart is minimized.
• The eyes appear less fiery and cross-eyed.

Candidates for Epicanthoplasty 

If you have a thicker epicanthal fold that causes your eyes to seem weary or smaller, you are a suitable candidate for Epicanthoplasty. Moreover, Epicanthoplasty facilitates the transition from an Asian eye crease to a double eyelid. Epicanthoplasty can assist you in achieving a natural-looking double eyelid.

Patients must be in generally excellent health to undergo Epicanthoplasty. If you smoke, you must stop smoking for three weeks before and three weeks after your operation. This is due to the fact that smoking reduces your body's capacity to recuperate.

How Epicanthoplasty is done? 

The direct brow lift is a surgical technique intended to give the upper portion of the face a more rejuvenated, young appearance. The effect is achieved by removing extra sagging skin around the brow and rearranging underlying muscle and tissue. This results in a significant correction of a drooping or heavy brow and restores a more youthful shape to the upper portion of the face. The incisions are done directly on the forehead, as with the classic midbrow lift, allowing precise manipulation of muscle and skin. A straight brow lift costs between $3700 and $4000.

The process begins by outlining the face and numbing the region with lidocaine anesthetic to indicate where the incisions will be done. This is followed by a 3-5 minute face massage to assist the numbing medication spread. After that, the skin is sliced, preferably in a crease just above the forehead for optimal scar concealing. This enables selective skin excision in the affected region. The frontalis, or forehead, muscle fibers are then discovered by dissection with scissors.

The areas beneath the superficial skin markings are then removed. Layer-by-layer repair of the wound is recommended to avoid scarring. Sutures are used in the deeper layers to bring the skin edges together without gaps and to seal the skin.

Brow lifts revitalize the face above the eyes by removing extra sagging skin and rearranging underlying muscles and tissues using a variety of procedures. Brow lifts can "raise" drooping brows, remove deep furrows, and smooth the skin on the forehead.

Epicanthoplasty Results 

Your eyes will appear broader, brighter, and more alert after an Epicanthoplasty. Your epicanthal fold will no longer detract from the look of your upper eyes. Patients who get Epicanthoplasty as well as double eyelid surgery will have bigger, more appealing eyes overall.

Epicanthoplasty patients will observe benefits after a few weeks following therapy. The tissue will accept the alterations made during your treatment when the swelling subsides and your wounds heal. Patients will witness the ultimate results of their Epicanthoplasty within three months.  

After Epicanthoplasty, patients' eyes will seem expressive and open. Epicanthoplasty and double eyelid surgery patients will have double lidded eyes and a broader, more appealing eye shape.

What is Double Eyelid Epicanthoplasty Surgery?

Epicanthoplasty can lengthen the eyes, making them appear broader, clearer, and larger, as well as give a softer and more caring image. All previous Epicanthoplasty techniques created obvious scars.

Wonjin's Epicanthoplasty incisions, on the other hand, are made on the inside of the fold and no sutures are used, leaving no visible scars. Epicanthoplasty is frequently combined with double eyelid surgery to get better results.

• What are the indications for Asian double eyelid surgery?

The absence of an upper eyelid crease is common in the East Asian population (at least 50 % ). The top lid - the so-called "single eyelid" - drapes like a single, unruffled curtain from the upper border of the eye ridge to the eyelashes. This is mostly due to the skin not being tightly attached to the muscles that open the eyes, resulting in the skin not being dragged into the crease during eye opening.

As the eye is opened, the skin simply collects over the lashes. This makes applying makeup difficult, and it might create the impression that the eye is "heavy" or has too much skin when it doesn't. The "double eyelid" is created by surgically creating a crease that separates the single eyelid into two well-defined parts.

Revision double eyelid surgery is recommended when earlier surgery has failed or the outcome has altered owing to age. This necessitates much more expertise and accuracy.

How do you prepare for the surgery?

Formal consultation in offices is required to adequately diagnose and address your upper eyelid concerns. You will be given a thorough package that contains written information regarding the surgery as well as detailed post-operative care recommendations.

During the consultation, preoperative photographic evidence will be gathered, as well as answers to any of your procedure-related queries. If you have any more questions, a second or future appointment may be scheduled.

How long does the recovery take?

Most patients are able to resume mild activities after 48-72 hours. On the seventh day following surgery, sutures can be carefully removed. During this period, social activities may be resumed. In most cases, healing takes 7-10 days. There may be minor swelling and bruising, which will fade with time and rest. Discomfort can be managed by taking simple analgesics.

What happens after the surgery?

Here are some points to be mindful of following surgery:

• Eye patch

You may be given an eye patch overnight and antibiotic eyedrops or ointment for roughly a week. If both eyes are operated on, one patch will be removed before you leave the operating room.

• Sutures

These are typically removed 7-10 days following surgery.

Returning home after surgery

It would be great if someone (friend or family) could drive you home or arrange for a cab.

• At home

It would be great if someone (friend or family) could drive you home or arrange for a cab.

• Post-operative ointment

Please use eyedrops 3 times a day and ointment at night. The ointment can also be administered to the wound on the skin.

How Dangerous is Epicanthoplasty?

First and foremost, we must underline that Epicanthoplasty is a perfectly safe treatment with high success and satisfaction rates when performed by a certified and skilled surgeon.

However, like with any operation, some risks and consequences may occur. As a surgical candidate, you should think about and be completely aware of the following risks:

• Allergies. To remove any hazards, skin testing is always undertaken before to surgery; nonetheless, some patients may be allergic to anesthetic and sutures.
• Poor scarring. Some people may detect a scar for a few months following the treatment, although these will fade with time. However, to reduce apparent scars, epicanthoplasty is being performed utilizing specific procedures with concealed incisions.
• Infections. It is a very unusual complication caused by infection at the incision site, although it is readily treated with a topical or oral antibiotic.
• Unsatisfactory results. This is readily prevented by ensuring that your surgeon is a highly experienced specialist.

Although postoperative problems from Epicanthoplasty are uncommon, the treatment itself may be difficult because the epicanthal folds overlie the lacrimal canaliculi, or tear drainage canals. This area is particularly apparent, and the tissue between the nose and eyes is readily deformed.

Any minor error may disrupt your eyes' tear drainage mechanism, although this is readily preventable.

Epicanthoplasty in Korea

Epicanthoplasty is a frequent treatment used to give patients bigger eyes. The Mongolian fold, which is widespread among Koreans and Asians, can also be removed with this procedure. Epicanthoplasty should be conducted with considerable caution since the inner eyelid is one of the most sensitive parts of your eyes. In South Korea, epicanthoplasty is commonly combined with double eyelid surgery to achieve a more natural appearance.

FAQ About Epicanthoplasty

• WHAT CAUSES EPICANTHIC FOLD?

Epicanthic folds, or the upper eye fold that covers the inner corner of the eye, are caused by genetics, family history, and age.

• HOW IS PTOSIS SURGERY DONE?

Ptosis is a weakness of the upper raising eye muscle, which generally results in a drooping eyelid. Ptosis can be corrected surgically using a variety of techniques. Ptosis can be corrected with double eyelid surgery by attaching the eyelid skin to the eye raising muscle. Ptosis can also be treated non-surgically by flipping up the eyelid and focusing on the deep inner eyelid. Patients who want to address their ptosis are encouraged to book a consultation to find out which ptosis treatment option is best for them.

• IS EYELID SURGERY DANGEROUS?

Eyelid surgery is a safe and effective technique to change the shape and look of your eyes. Because of the delicate nature of the eye tissue and accompanying muscles, you should have your eyelid surgery performed by an experienced, board-certified medical professional you trust to provide your desired outcomes.

• HOW MUCH DOES EPICANTHOPLASTY COST?

The cost of Epicanthoplasty surgery is determined by the specifics of your individual treatment plan. The type of Epicanthoplasty you will have and if you will have other eye procedures will also affect the cost of your surgery. You will also receive a cost breakdown that corresponds to your unique surgery plan once you have received it.

• CAN I WASH AND BATH NORMALLY?

Bathing and showering are permitted; however, please keep the surgery incision dry until the sutures are removed. It is preferable to keep the wound dry during the healing process.

• EXERCISE AND SWIMMING?

While moderate movements are permissible after surgery, it is advised to avoid intense activity, sports, or heavy lifting for at least two weeks while the incision heals. Swimming should be avoided until the incision has healed and the sutures have been removed.

• CAN I DRIVE AFTER THE SURGERY?

When the patches are removed, you should be allowed to drive the next day after surgery. However, the ointment may cause blurred vision, so please drive with caution or stop if your vision is impaired.

• CAN I STILL USE MAKEUP AFTER THE SURGERY?

Make-up can be worn the day following the procedure, but avoid placing it on or near the wound or sutures.

Conclusion 

Epicanthoplasty is a type of eye surgery that alters the epicanthal folds or Mongolian folds. It is called medically as medial or lateral Epicanthoplasty, and it tries to extend the inner region of the eye in order to make the eyes appear larger.

When combined with Epicanthoplasty, eyelid surgery can result in a more equal length between the eyes as well as a more delicate and defined eye look. In the case of Asian patients, the surgeon must be cautious not to remove the complete epicanthal fold. The patient may lose their inherent Asian identity in such a circumstance.