Is There A Surgery For Dark Circles That Can Have A Longer-Lasting Result?

Q: I have very dark circles under my eyes that bothers me a great deal. I have tried all sorts of creams and lotions without any improvement. Are there any more result-oriented surgical approaches that will work?

A:Some of the best results for dark circles improvement is based on volume addition, either using injectable fillers or surgically done with orbital rim implants.  (synthetic implants or dermal grafts) The cause for the appearance of dark circles in some patients is that the orbital rims (lower eyelid socket) is weak or underdeveloped. This causes the lower eyelid tissues to lack support so they fall inward, creating both a trough or depression whcih is also prone to looking darker due to shadowing. It is easy to see whom may have orbital rim hypoplasia by a side view. If the front part of the eye (cornea) sticks out further than the lower orbital rims one has lower eye socket hypoplasia.

The success of orbital rim implants can be predicted by initially using injectable fillers. Injectable fillers are both a diagnostic test and a treatment. Unlike the lips or nasolabial folds, which are exposed to a lot of muscle movement, the tear trough and lower eyelid area is not so injectable fillers can last a much longer time in this area.

Since any form of orbital rim implant must be put in through a lower eyelid incision, this also gives the opportunity to do a little skkin removal and tightening which can also help improve the dark circle appearance.

I would have to see pictures of one’s anatomy to determine if orbital rim hypoplasia is making a major contribution to one’s dark circle appearance.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana