Thank you for your question.
You submitted a single photo of a close-up of your eyes and you’re asking what’s
wrong with your eyes.
And you feel like your eyes are horrible and you are willing to travel anywhere around
the United States to have something done.
And you’re 20 years old.
Well, certainly I can share with you a little bit of understanding of what I see in this
photo.
This is in the absence of a physical examination.
A little bit of background, I’m a Board-certified cosmetic surgeon and Fellowship-trained oculofacial
plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
I have been in practice in Manhattan and Long Island for over 20 years.
And I can certainly give you an understanding of the anatomy that is relevant to your situation.
So let’s begin with definitions.
Your upper eyelids may look a little bit low which we refer to as ptosis or drooping of
the upper eyelid.
But I think what’s relatively more significant is the position of the outer corners of the
eye relative to the inner corners of the eye and this is referred to as lateral canthal
dystopia or a downward displacement of the outer corners of the eye.
Now in our field and in general or in the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery, we
refer to things as certain norms but of course, there is going to be ethnic and genetic variations.
So what is “normal” is that the outer corner of the eye is 1-2 millimeters higher
than the inner corner of the eye.
And in your situation, the outer corner is lower.
Now in my practice, I see similar situations but more commonly as issues related to aging
where the outer corner of the eye sags and descends or after complications of cosmetic
eyelid surgery which is a combination or I should say, as a single part of multiple other
issues such as lower eyelid retraction and ectropion.
What I suspect your situation is more of a familial situation where people in your family
probably do share the same genetic appearance.
So I think that it is important to understand that perspective.
Essentially, any type of surgery would be to change what is your natural anatomy.
Since this isn’t the result of aging or complication of eyelid surgery, you’re talking
about doing something that is changing the natural anatomy to try to create a different
appearance.
Now I would propose to you that you delay any type of surgery since you are 20-years-old
and there are still facial volume changes that will continue to occur as you get older.
And I think it would be in your best interest to allow for those things to happen before
you make this type of decision which will involve relatively advanced surgery and you
have to essentially accept what would happen subsequent to that because it’s difficult
to go back.
So it’s a very important decision.
So at this point, you may want to get some opinions and get some guidance and understanding.
But from my perspective, if someone like yourself would come to my office at your age, I would
mostly likely delay or defer having any surgery until the time or a point where your face
is more, let’s say, more mature and you can also have a better sense overall of what
the outcomes will be.
It’s difficult to really make a significantly dramatic change when you’re dealing with
the genetics that is in the family that it’s basically the whole structure.
The point is that it’s not only the way the eyes are shaped, it’s also the bone
structure, the tendons, the support, the amount of tissue.
So whatever will be done, it would be relatively involved.
So you have to understand that and make that decision when the time is right but of course,
it’s very important for you to get educated and informed and then see whether or not this
is as important to you years from now as it is currently.
I can tell you that there are a lot of famous people who have this type of appearance who
have very successful careers in terms of movies and other things where you would maybe assume
they wouldn’t otherwise have had.
I think you also have to maybe consider embracing the look if it is something that is part of
your familial appearance.
It may change as you get older but for now, I think it’s okay to at least learn more
and have physical examinations to get a better understanding.
So I hope that was helpful, I wish you the best of luck and thank you for your question.