Overview | Monolid vs. double eyelids | Recommended procedures | Treatment steps | Future eye-care tips
The eyelids are a very important part of our body as they help protect our eyes from dirt and sweat. Even though the eyelids have the same function for every individual, there are a few different kinds of them. For example, some people have double eyelids. It may sound like a condition of having two eyelids on each eye, but in reality, it refers to eyelids with a crease.
According to Stanford Health Care, a double eyelid surgery can be used to make changes in the eyelid if an individual wishes to do so. It is not a medical condition but you can choose to have the surgery if your eyelids are disturbing your vision, one of your eyelids has the crease and the other does not, or if you simply want to change its appearance.
What are the differences between monolids and double eyelids?
The monolid is a type of skin fold that makes it appear as if you do not have any visible crease line under your eyebrow area. This skin fold is also known as the epicanthic fold. The monolids can be of different types like puffy, sunken, hooded, or flat. The eyelids that have the crease are known as double eyelids. It is commonly believed that Asians can be seen only with monolids but this not the truth. Double eyelids are equally common among Asians as well.
When/why should you opt for a double eyelid surgery?
The one thing that I want you to understand is that both monolids and double eyelids are natural, and there is nothing wrong with any of these types. However, there can be certain situations when having a surgery for double eyelids can be helpful. If your natural eyelids are interfering and creating a problem with your vision, the surgery can help you. Also, if you believe that larger looking eyes can be more aesthetically suitable with your facial features, you should opt for a double eyelids surgery. Lastly, if you have one double and one single eyelid, the surgery can fix the asymmetry. The ‘blepharoplasty’ procedure for double eyelids is most commonly used to perform the surgery.
What are some recommended procedures to get double eyelids?
If you are considering to opt for the surgery, you have the option to choose between two techniques: incisional and non-incisional. Depending on your situation and expectations, I will recommend you the most suitable procedure.
- Incisional procedure – The incisional procedure will be the right choice for you if you want a permanent solution. You must have a thick skin on the targeted areas so that the surgery can be effectively performed. To perform the procedure, the surgeon will first measure the eyelid and mark the proposed line. Anesthesia will be given to make sure that you are comfortable during the surgery. The surgeon will then carefully make incisions along the line to perform the procedure. Then, the marked skin area will be removed. The fat tissue and the orbicularis oculi muscle will be removed from underneath the skin, too.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information website states that there are two fat sections under the eyelid skin, central and medial, both of which can be accessed using this procedure. The surgeon will then close the incisions using stitches. This surgery has certain risks. The most common ones are allergic reactions because of the anesthesia, infection, visible scars, and change in vision that can be permanent or temporary. - Non-incisional procedure – If you want the double eyelid but are not comfortable going with the incisional procedure, I can help you with the non-incisional procedure. The procedure for the non-invasive technique is known as the buried suture technique. At first, local or general anesthesia will be administered to keep you comfortable. I will measure and mark the eyelid and then make tiny punctures along that marked line.
Surgical sutures will be placed through those tiny punctures and then the sutures will be tightened to create the eyelid crease. The sutures will not be visible, as they are placed under the skin. This technique will be best for you if you do not want to remove any extra skin or fat. A great thing about the procedure is that it can be reversed if you ever need to do so. This technique has a few risks, which include irritation from the surgical sutures, infection, visible marks left behind by the punctures, and asymmetry.
What are the pros and cons of each procedure?
The double eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty has many advantages. Apart from helping with double eyelids, the procedure can decrease eye bags that are around the lower eyelid. The surgery improves your peripheral vision and cures certain vision-related problems. After the surgery, you look younger. However, this procedure has a few disadvantages as well. The surgery can cause swelling, bruises, and scars. You can also experience dryness of the eyes and itching. In some extreme cases, the procedure can lead to temporary blindness or double vision. However, they never last for more than a couple of hours after which you can regain complete vision within a day.
You can also use glues and tapes as available non-surgical means for creating double eyelids temporarily. With these, you can create double eyelids as per your needs without having to permanently lose the natural shape of the eyes. You can also use these methods to test your appearance before deciding to get the surgery for a more permanent solution. However, if you want to use the glues or tapes to create the crease for a longer period, you have to use them every day. They can fall off at any time if not fixed properly and can cause irritation. The glue can also get into your eye and cause problems. Having an allergic reaction to the tape or the glue is quite common.
What are the important things that you should know before the treatment?
The National Health Service website states that most problems related to eyelids are not serious, including having monolids or double lids too. However, if you still want to opt for the double eyelid surgery, I would like you to inform you about a few facts related to the procedure. It is a type of blepharoplasty surgery and it requires you to take special care of your eyelids after the procedure is performed. It can take up to nine days for you to completely recover, and during that period there can be some swelling as well.
What are the treatment steps?
The first step of the procedure is to administer anesthesia to make sure that you are comfortable. After that, the eyelids are marked according to where the incisions will be. Multiple incisions are made along the marked line. Using the incisions, the fat deposits are either repositioned or removed according to your needs. The muscles under the skin are tightened to create the perfect crease. Skin glue or sutures are then used to close the incisions.
How long is the recovery time from the treatment?
It takes about a couple of weeks to recover from the double eyelid surgery, and during this time you may experience bleeding, bruising, some swelling, dry eyes, pain, and light sensitivity. However, these side-effects never last for too long. The complete recovery may require a few months, and you can expect to see positive results after that.
What results can you expect after the treatment?
After the surgery, you can expect to notice the initial result within two weeks when the swelling subsides. However, it can take up to a few months for complete recovery. After that, you can see the final result. The results of the surgery can be long-lasting. However, you may require additional procedures if the outcome is not satisfactory.
What eye-care measures are required after the treatment?
In order to recover from the double eyelid surgery fast, you need to make sure of taking special care of your eyes. After returning home, use an icepack to reduce the initial swelling. If required, I will prescribe you medications to help reduce the pain. You can take these to keep the discomfort under control. I will also suggest you eye drops, which can comfort you and help you with dry eyes. You also need to take a lot of rest and keep your head elevated while lying down during the recovery period. Lastly, do not forget to use sunglasses when going out in the sun.
What are some risks involved with the treatment?
Just like any other surgery, the procedure for double eyelids has a few risks. The procedure can lead to some infection after the surgery. Change in vision can also be caused by the procedure, which can be permanent in a few cases. The surgery may also leave behind some scarring.
Closing thoughts
Having monolids or double eyelids are not any medical conditions, as both are very natural eyelid shapes. However, if your eyelids are causing you vision problems or if you simply want to change their appearance, you can consider a surgery for double eyelids. I can help you determine which procedure will be suitable for you and perform the surgery safely.
References
- Stanford Health Care: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/d/double-eyelid-surgery.html
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2840922/
- National Health Service : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/eyelid-problems/
Dr. Batul Patel is a celebrity dermatologist and the medical director of The Bombay Skin Clinic an award winning clinic located in South Mumbai & Bandra. She is a passionate and dedicated dermatologist with expertise in all fields of dermatology, trichology and aesthetic dermatology. She has been practicing for more than a decade. Her range of expertise include emsculpt NEO, coolsculpting, fillers, acne treatment, lasers, skin rejuvenation, hair loss, hair transplant, PRP & pigmentation treatments.