Almond eyes are characterized by a slightly raised outer corner or canthus and a lower eyelid that sits at the lower edge of the iris. While all eye shapes can be beautiful, almond eyes create an attractive, youthful, and somewhat exotic appearance. Some individuals have almond eyes naturally because of genetics or their ethnicity. For those with a rounded outer canthus or a lower eyelid that is rounded or low allowing the sclera to show, surgery may help improve the shape and appearance of the eye.
Patients considering almond eye surgery should consult a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the type of outcome that they can expect based on their current eye shape and anatomy. In some cases, a lateral canthoplasty is performed to tighten or reposition the outer canthus of the eye. In patients with a lower eyelid that is too low or that is retracted to expose part of the sclera, additional procedures may be necessary to adjust the position and tension of the lower eyelids. It is common for patients to combine almond eye surgery with a brow lift, blepharoplasty surgery, and other cosmetic procedures to achieve their desired result. Almond eye surgery is a very delicate procedure that can be even more complicated in patients who have had prior eyelid surgery or who have protruding eyes, so consulting a specialist in oculoplastic surgery is essential. Dr. Robert Schwarcz of New York is an oculoplastic surgeon and specialist in surgeries involving the eyes. His practices offer surgical services at both the Scarsdale and New York City locations.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and patients are released the same day. While conscious sedation may be used, the patient still needs to be able to open their eyes during the surgery. Mild discomfort is to be expected for the first day following surgery; however, this is normally easily managed with medication. Some bruising and swelling are normal for the first week to 10 days. While most patients return to their normal activities within a week, complete healing can take several weeks to months.
