Can The Outer Corner Of My Eye Be Lowered?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m 18 years old and have saved up for a few years for a procedure I’ve always wanted done, changing my eyes shape. (eyelid reshaping)  I’ve done a lot of research on the type of procedure. The catch is that my eyes already have an upward tilt to them, I want them to curve them downward. Can you explain to me if this can be done.

A: What you don’t like about your eyes is that the lateral canthal position is quite high. Rather than having a horizontal inner and outer eyelid corner position, your outer eyelid corner is angled upward. This is a more typical of some types of Asian eyelids and very uncommon in Caucasian eyelids. The only way to change that tilt and potentially bring down the lower eyelid position is by repositioning the lateral canthal tendon position. This may level out the eyelids but will not necessarily give a rounded eye appearance, increase the amount of scleral show or make the eyelids look less ‘squinty’. It may have some positive effects in these regards but they can not be precisely predicted before surgery. Bringing down the outer corner of the eye is much less commonly done than trying to raise it but it can be done.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana