Asian Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery is called blepharoplasty, and could be contemplated for a variety of reasons. The type of surgery considered depends on the ethnicity of the individual in some cases, and this holds true in patients who are of Asian origin. 

Blepharoplasty in Asians, called Asian blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure where the typical appearance of the Asian eyelids devoid of the pretarsal crease is corrected for certain clinical indications.

Asian blepharoplasty is also called ‘double eyelid’ surgery and is used to place a pretarsal crease in Asian eyes or among those who wish to be more bright-eyed and want make applying eyeliner easier. In this article, we shall take a look at this procedure in a little more detail.

Why Asian blepharoplasty?

• The eyelids are shaped differently among the Asian population. In some Asian individuals, the upper eyelid could appear puffy and the pretarsal crease could be absent. Such an appearance can be psychologically unfulfilling for some people while others could find it cosmetically unpleasant. Furthermore, patients could find it difficult to apply cosmetic products such as eyeliners due to the conspicuous absence of the pretarsal crease. Such patients often undergo Asian blepharoplasty to achieve a more universal look.
• The absence of the pretarsal crease is a typical feature in Asian population groups when compared to white Caucasians. The Asian blepharoplasty is a step towards achieving universal acceptance and psychological freedom.

Who will benefit?

• A typical patient who undergoes Asian blepharoplasty is an Asian-origin female adolescent in her early 20s. Male patients who undergo the procedure tend to be a little bit older. Of course, a number of non-Asian patients could also undergo Asian blepharoplasty to obtain a more distinct look by adding more definition to the eyes.

Asian Blepharoplasty Procedure and its Benefits

• In the Asian population, the eyelid fold lies at a lower level than in white Caucasian populations. Prior to the procedure, a detailed assessment of the patient’s eyelid is done to ascertain what corrective measures need to be taken. This can include brow symmetry, degree of eye protrusion etc.
• There are 2 different ways this procedure is performed.
  • In the ‘semi-open’ method, the fat over the levator muscle of the eyelid is removed and the muscle is repositioned a little higher. The procedure is often done under sedation or local anaesthesia. This procedure is reversible if the patients are not happy with their results.
  • The ‘incision’ method involves the removal of a small part of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which is the muscle that surrounds the eye. The fat is also removed and the levator muscle is repositioned. Sutures are put in place and healing ensues.
• Following the procedure, antiseptic ointment is applied onto the suture site and a light compression dressing is placed. The sutures are removed after 3 to 4 days.
• The primary benefit of undergoing Asian blepharoplasty is that patients can have the eyelids they want and feel a lot more confident in.

Risks and Complications of Asian Blepharoplasty

• One of the most common complications that can occur following the procedure is asymmetry of the eyelids. In order to prevent this, photographs should be taken before the procedure and a detailed pre-operative plan put in place.
• In some patients, despite surgery, they could lose the upper eyelid crease that has been created over a period of time. In a small proportion of patients, drooping of the eyelid (called ptosis) could occur.

Conclusion

• Asian blepharoplasty is a commonly performed procedure in Asian population groups to create an Asian eyelid fold. It is primarily a cosmetic procedure but it could be performed for clinical indications as well. Patient satisfaction rates are high and complications are rare.