Increasing the Distance Between the Eyes in Double Eyelid

In order to increase the distance between the eyes in the double eyelid, the skin along the medial or inner aspect of the eyes needs to be removed. This procedure is called an epicanthoplasty. Epicanthoplasty is performed for this cosmetic reason during double eyelid surgery. Another reason to perform epicanthoplasty is to convert the double eyelid fold from an infold to an in-out fold or an outfold. The third reason to perform epicanthoplasty is to eliminate the downward force that limits the eye-opening mechanism. Therefore, epicanthoplasty is commonly performed at the time of the double eyelid surgery or eyelid ptosis surgery.

Another advantage of opening the medial or inner aspect of the eyes is that the eyes look wider. In addition, the nose looks narrower and more defined along the bridge of the nose.

Another interesting aspect of an epicanthoplasty is that even the overall face looks more narrow as the eyes look wider. There is a significant aspect of proportion when it comes to facial appearance and beauty. By making the eyes look more wider, the overall face looks more slender.

Besides increasing the inner or medial aspect of the eyes, another way to make the eyes wider is by performing lateral canthoplasty. Opening the outer side of the eyes does not increase the distance between the eyes. However, it does make the eyes wider. Therefore, it has the same effect of the epicanthoplasty in that it makes the face look more narrow.

These adjunctive surgeries such as epicanthoplasty and lateral canthoplasty should be carefully evaluated at the time of the double eyelid surgery consultation in order to get the most aesthetically optimal result.