Asian blepharoplasty
Encyclopedia
Asian blepharoplasty, also known as "double eyelid surgery", is a type of cosmetic surgery where the skin around the eye
is reshaped (blepharoplasty
). The purpose of the procedure is to create an upper eyelid
with a crease (i.e. "double eyelid") from an eyelid that is naturally without a crease (a.k.a. "single eyelid"). Anatomically, there are a number of subtle differences in the upper eyelids of most Asia
ns particularly from east
, north
and central
Asia, including many Native Americans
, compared with the differences in the eyelids of other races. The procedure to alter the natural Asian "single eyelid" appearance has been a subject of controversy, and described by opponents of the procedure, such as author David Mura
, as being "indoctrinated by white standards of beauty". Although there is increasing appreciation and awareness to the natural beauty of the Asian single-eyelid look, renown New York
based cosmetic surgeon Dr. Edward Kwak states that many patients who get the procedure done are "not trying to look white", but look like the many north and eastern Asians who naturally have an eyelid fold.
While there are some Asians with a double eyelid and some without, there is also a large variation in the crease position (double eyelid size) of the East Asian upper eyelid. The upper lid fold can range from 1 mm above the eyelash line to about 10 mm. Several methods can be used to create the double eyelid—including the full-incisional, partial incision and no incision methods (e.g. the DST method). Each has its advantages depending on the patient's anatomy and desires.
Asian blepharoplasties have been reported to be the most common aesthetic procedure in Taiwan
and other parts of East Asia
. The procedure has been reported to have some risk of complications, but is generally quite safe if done by an expert plastic surgeon. Practitioners of Asian double eyelid surgery include plastic surgeons (facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons), otolaryngologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons
, and ophthalmologists (oculoplastic surgeons). A procedure to remove the epicanthal fold
(i.e. an epicanthoplasty
) is often performed in conjunction with an Asian blepharoplasty.
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
is reshaped (blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is surgical modification of the eyelid. Excess tissue such as skin and fat are removed or repositioned, and surrounding muscles and tendons may be reinforced. It can be both a functional and cosmetic surgery.-Indications:...
). The purpose of the procedure is to create an upper eyelid
Eyelid
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. With the exception of the prepuce and the labia minora, it has the thinnest skin of the whole body. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid to "open" the eye. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily...
with a crease (i.e. "double eyelid") from an eyelid that is naturally without a crease (a.k.a. "single eyelid"). Anatomically, there are a number of subtle differences in the upper eyelids of most Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
ns particularly from east
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
, north
North Asia
North Asia or Northern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the Asian portion of Russia.The Phillips Illustrated Atlas of the World 1988 defines it as being most of the former USSR, the part that is to the east of the Ural Mountains...
and central
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
Asia, including many Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
, compared with the differences in the eyelids of other races. The procedure to alter the natural Asian "single eyelid" appearance has been a subject of controversy, and described by opponents of the procedure, such as author David Mura
David Mura
David Mura is a Japanese American author, poet, novelist, playwright, critic and performance artist. His most recent book is his novel, Famous Suicides of the Japanese Empire...
, as being "indoctrinated by white standards of beauty". Although there is increasing appreciation and awareness to the natural beauty of the Asian single-eyelid look, renown New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based cosmetic surgeon Dr. Edward Kwak states that many patients who get the procedure done are "not trying to look white", but look like the many north and eastern Asians who naturally have an eyelid fold.
While there are some Asians with a double eyelid and some without, there is also a large variation in the crease position (double eyelid size) of the East Asian upper eyelid. The upper lid fold can range from 1 mm above the eyelash line to about 10 mm. Several methods can be used to create the double eyelid—including the full-incisional, partial incision and no incision methods (e.g. the DST method). Each has its advantages depending on the patient's anatomy and desires.
Asian blepharoplasties have been reported to be the most common aesthetic procedure in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and other parts of East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
. The procedure has been reported to have some risk of complications, but is generally quite safe if done by an expert plastic surgeon. Practitioners of Asian double eyelid surgery include plastic surgeons (facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons), otolaryngologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is an internationally recognized surgical specialty...
, and ophthalmologists (oculoplastic surgeons). A procedure to remove the epicanthal fold
Epicanthal fold
An epicanthic fold, epicanthal fold, or epicanthus is a skin fold of the upper eyelid, covering the inner corner of the eye....
(i.e. an epicanthoplasty
Epicanthoplasty
Epicanthoplasty is eye surgery to remove the epicanthal folds. It can be a challenging procedure because the epicanthal folds overlay the lacrimal canaliculi ....
) is often performed in conjunction with an Asian blepharoplasty.