Cosmetic Asian Blepharoplasty and Periorbital Surgery

Fig. 1 Anh H. Nguyen, MD

It is my pleasure to serve as guest editor of this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery on Asian blepharoplasty and periorbital surgery. Asian blepharoplasty and periorbital surgery has significantly advanced in concept and technique over the past 10 to 15 years. Western-based Asian blepharoplasty surgery is still primarily a double crease formation of the upper eyelid, with some debate on how high or low to make the crease for an ethnic-preservation look, the primary use of an open incision approach, and an avoidance of the medial epicanthoplasty in fear of scarring and additional ethnic-appearance eradication.

In contrast, a contemporary Asia-based blepharoplasty is divergent in its focus on the total periorbital area. In this issue, I highlight Asia-based periorbital cosmetic surgery. In line with newer techniques and an updated understanding of the anatomy of the Asian periorbital area, there are four potential vectors that can be changed surgically: (1) upper vertical (crease formation and subclinical ptosis correction for upward palpebral fissure enlargement), (2) medial modification (medial epicanthoplasty), (3) lower vertical (aegyosal creation and downward palpebral fissure enlargement), and (4) lateral change (canthoplasty for lengthening).

I am pleased to present six contributions dealing with the trends, anatomy, physiology, and surgical approaches to creating the more modern Asian periorbital beauty, while preventing the “de-ethnicizing” of Asian eyes. The author of a seventh chapter focuses on the aging Asian upper eyes and brow, which is a challenging problem. In the final chapter, an overview on the revision of Asian eyelid surgery is provided, which should be helpful for those challenging cases that have a less than desirable initial outcome.

I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all the authors who donated their time, and generously shared their techniques and ideas with us. Their experience, knowledge, and thoughtfulness are present in these chapters, and it is greatly appreciated. I hope the readers will find these chapters informative and thought provoking.