Are Tear Trough Implants Or Fat Grafting Best For Prominent Eyes?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 32 year old female with flat cheekbones that make my eyes look prominent. I have noticed that whenever I laugh the lower eyelid retraction vanishes and the eyes look quite normal. So I am thinking a fat transfer can considerably correct the problem. But I would like toknow if the maxillary hypoplasia is so severe as to make necessary the use of orbital/cheek implants. Or do you believe in using large volumes of fat transfer to treat such cases. And can fat grafts be used in the cheek eyelid junction too?

A: You have astutely discerned the two approaches to anterior midfacial/lower orbital hypoplasia. The bone can be built up with implants or fat can be added to the soft tissues that drape over the bones. Each has their own distinct advantages and disadvantages and the actual anatomy and severity of the tissue deficiency will play a major role in that treatment decision. It would be very helpful to see pictures of your face to provide a more specific answer to your exact facial concerns.

Having done a lot of both infraorbital and tear trough implants and fat grafting in this area, I am facile with both techniques and my treatment decision rests with what is best to anatomically correct the problem. Anatomic needs should dictate the treatment, not what ay surgeon is most familiar with doing. What I can tell about treating this area in general is that I often use a combination of both implants and fat grafting to get the best result. Implants can only go where the bone is, fat injection grafting can volumize soft tissues where implants can not. (e.g.,  lower eyelid above the infraorbital rim)

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana