Double Eyelid Surgery

Eyes with a lid crease between the eyelashes and the eyebrows  are described as having a ‘double eyelid’, whereas those without a crease have a ‘single eyelid’.

We all know that having double eyelids makes our eyes look bigger, wider and culturally perceived to be more alert, friendly, confident  and attractive. Having a double eyelid also allows easier application of cosmetics and no need to stick eyelid tapes anymore.

Studies have shown that about 50% of Asians do not have an upper eyelid crease, the other 50% have a least some form of crease. Therefore, it has been very popular among the Asians to opt for procedures that create double eyelids.

There have been various popular methods of creating double eyelids. The decision on which procedure is most suitable depends on the type and condition of one’s eyelids.

There are incisional (cutting) and non-incisional (non-cutting) methods. The incisional method involves plastic surgery through which some of the eyelid skin is excised. The patient will be required to return to the clinic and have the sutures removed. It may leave a prominent scar on the eyelid where the skin is removed. This is an excellent approach for those eyelids with too much loose skin around the eyes or lots of fat.

The non-incisional method is called the suture (stitching) method. In this method, no removal of skin using the knife is involved. Instead, sutures are passed through the eyelids via small punctures to create a fold by pulling the underbelly of the skin inwards when the eyes are opened. This method does not leave a prominent scar, no removal of sutures is required and recovery time is very short as no significant incision is made.

However, the traditional suture method is highly criticized for it’s short lifespan. Until recently, the advent of a new suture method known as the Double Suture and Twist (DST) technique, well-known for its longevity, addresses these disadvantages but maintaining the benefits of a suture method such as the quick recovery, scarlessness, naturalness of the crease and reversibility. This method is suitable for younger candidates with eyelids which do not have lots of loose skin or fat, or any obvious eyelid deformities.

Some examples of double eyelids created using the DST technique: