Comprehensive Guide to Double Eyelid Surgery: Understanding the Principles and Choices in One Article.

2025-09-25Comprehensive Guide to Double Eyelid Surgery: Understanding the Principles and Choices in One Article.

Having a pair of bright and expressive eyes is a desire for many, and double eyelids often play a key role in achieving this look. As a result, double eyelid surgery (medically referred to as "blepharoplasty") has become one of the most popular blepharoplasty.

The core principle of double eyelid surgery is not simply making an incision on the eyelid, but rather creating adhesion between the skin of the upper eyelid and the deeper tarsal plate or levator aponeurosis through surgical means.

When the eyes open, the inward pulling of this section of skin creates a fold, which is what we perceive as a double eyelid. In contrast, the absence of this natural adhesion is what results in a single eyelid. The surgery artificially and precisely establishes this adhesion to shape the appearance of double eyelids.

What eye-related concerns can double eyelid surgery help us address?

While many people perceive double eyelid surgery primarily as a way to make the eyes more lively and aesthetically pleasing, it is less widely known that beyond enhancing overall facial beauty, this procedure can also address certain functional issues.

Aesthetic and Morphological Issues

Creating the Double Eyelid Shape

It creates clear, vibrant double eyelid folds for those with single eyelids, making the eyes appear visually larger and more three-dimensional while enhancing facial radiance and expressiveness.

Correcting "Puffy Eyelids" (Upper Eyelid Swelling)

Clinical Presentation:Many individuals with single eyelids have excessive and thickened fat in the upper eyelids (orbital septum fat), which makes the eyelids appear swollen and lackluster, as if they are not fully awake.

Solution:During the procedure (particularly with the full incision method), excess orbital septum fat can be removed, resulting in a flatter and tighter eyelid contour, ultimately eliminating puffy eyelids.

Correcting Upper Eyelid Skin Laxity

Clinical Presentation:Due to aging or congenital factors, the skin of the upper eyelids becomes lax and droops, resulting in a "triangular eye" appearance or multiple folds. In some cases, it may even partially cover the eyelashes and eyes, making individuals appear aged and fatigued.

Solution: Through surgery, excess skin is precisely removed to lift the eyelids and restore a youthful and refreshed eye appearance.

Adjusting the Size and Shape of the Palpebral Fissure

A well-designed double eyelid can visually enlarge the palpebral fissure (the width and height of the eye), improving the overall proportion of the eyes. Additionally, it can subtly adjust the eye shape, such as correcting issues like drooping outer corners.

Reducing the Impact of Epicanthal Folds

Clinical Presentation:An epicanthal fold is a vertical skin fold at the inner corner of the eye that can cover part of the corner, making the eyes appear shorter and the distance between them wider.

Solution: While severe epicanthal folds require combination with an "epicanthoplasty" for correction, standalone double eyelid surgery can also stretch the inner eyelid to some extent, mitigating the negative impact of the fold on eye shape.

Correcting Multiple Eyelid Folds

Clinical Presentation:Due to aging or previously unsuccessful suture embedding procedures, multiple asymmetrical and irregular folds may appear on the upper eyelids, creating a cluttered appearance.

Solution:Through full incision surgery, excess skin and tissue can be removed to reconstruct a clear, smooth, and symmetrical double eyelid line.

Oculofunctional Problems

Correcting Mild Ptosis

Clinical Presentation:Ptosis refers to the weakening of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle function, causing the upper eyelid to cover part of the pupil (as opposed to simple skin laxity). This not only affects appearance but also obstructs the visual field. Patients often need to tilt their heads back or strain their eyebrows to see clearly, which can easily lead to fatigue and deepening of forehead wrinkles.

Solution:During double eyelid surgery, a levator muscle shortening or folding procedure can be simultaneously performed to enhance eye-opening strength. This approach not only creates double eyelids but also expands the visual field and improves ocular function.

Alleviating Trichiasis Issues

Clinical Presentation:In some cases, eyelashes that turn inward toward the eyeball (trichiasis), caused by skin laxity or entropion, can lead to foreign body sensation, tearing, corneal damage, and other issues.

Solution:By removing a portion of the skin and altering the position of the eyelid margin, the misdirected eyelashes can be repositioned outward, thereby protecting the eyeball.

The Main Techniques of Double Eyelid Surgery

Currently, the mainstream double eyelid surgery methods are primarily categorized into three types: suture embedding method, minimally invasive three-point method, and full incision method. Each technique has its own indications and characteristics.

Suture Embedding Method (Non-Incision Technique)

Principle: The procedure involves embedding high-molecular suture threads between the skin and the tarsal plate through suturing, creating adhesion between the two layers.

Ideal Candidates: Best suited for younger individuals with thin eyelids, no excess fat, and no skin laxity.

Advantages:

Minimal trauma: No skin incision required, only a few needle punctures.

Scar-free: Virtually no visible scarring after the procedure.

Quick recovery: Short swelling period, typically returning to a natural look within 1-2 weeks.

Reversibility: If dissatisfied with the results, the sutures can be removed to restore the original state.

Minimally Invasive Three-Point Method (Partial Incision Technique)

Principle: Three tiny incisions (approximately 2-3 mm in length each) are made on the upper eyelid skin. Through these micro-incisions, excess fat is removed, and sutures are placed to create and secure the double eyelid fold.

Ideal Candidates: Individuals with thin eyelid skin but moderate fat deposits in the upper eyelids.

Advantages

Less invasive: Falls between suturing and full incision, with scars that are not obvious (usually hidden in the folds).

Long-lasting effect: More stable than the suturing method, with results that are nearly permanent.

Fat removal: Can address the issue of "puffy eyelids."

Full Incision Method (Cutting Method)

Principle: A full incision is made along the pre-designed double eyelid line to remove excess skin, muscle, and fat. The skin is then sutured to the tarsal plate.

Ideal Candidates: Individuals with puffy eyelids (swollen appearance), loose skin (visible sagging), or older aesthetic seekers.

Advantages

Permanent results: One procedure, lifelong benefits.

Highly functional: Effectively addresses issues of excess tissue around the eyes, creating the most defined and stable double eyelid shape.

Q&A:

How is the skill of the doctors at Celebright Hospital?

The Department of Plastic Surgery at Celebright Hospital boasts a team of surgeons holding master's and doctoral degrees, all certified with formal professional qualifications. With over 10,000 procedures performed, their techniques are mature and stable. They specialize in developing personalized plans tailored to individual eye structures, achieving an optimal balance between natural aesthetics and functional improvement.


How is the surgical environment at Celebright?

Celebright is equipped with 14 ten-thousand-class laminar flow operating rooms and 2 hundred-class laminar flow operating rooms, rigorously maintained to ensure a sterile environment. We strictly adhere to all hygiene standards to guarantee your safety. Additionally, our spacious and private rooms are designed with calming aesthetics to provide you with a comfortable treatment experience.


How are the postoperative results at Celebright?

One-year effect guarantee for postoperative results. Due to individual physical differences, free medical consultations are available for any recovery-related concerns