Who is this procedure for?
This eye surgery addresses two distinct types of requests, combining aesthetic and functional needs:
- Young patients (Millennials and Gen Z): Often influenced by current beauty standards (models like Bella Hadid), they seek a structural modification of the eye shape. The goal is to transform a round or droopy eye into a lifted, glamorous, and elongated eye.
- Patients showing signs of aging: With age, the tail of the eyebrow sags, and the lower eyelid can lose its tone (senile ectropion or round eye). Here, the procedure aims for rejuvenation: to open up the gaze, correct ptosis (drooping), and restore tension to the outer corner of the eye.
The procedure is ideal for those who find their gaze sad or tired, or who wish to correct an asymmetry or a downward-positioned outer canthus (corner of the eye) (negative canthus).
Consultation Process
The success of Fox Eyes lies in the pre-operative analysis. During the first consultation, the surgeon examines the tone of the canthal tendon, the position of the eyebrow, and any potential skin excess.
This is an educational exchange session where the most suitable technique is determined:
- Should the tail of the eyebrow simply be lifted (temporal lift)?
- Should the corner of the eye be tightened (canthopexy)?
- Should the tendon attachment be modified (canthoplasty)?
Simulations and photos are taken to confirm the desired traction axis. The practitioner also checks for any contraindications (severe dry eye, exophthalmos).
Preparation Steps and Technical Choices
Depending on the patient’s anatomy, the surgeon will opt for an isolated or combined strategy. It is crucial to distinguish between the procedures:
- The Temporal Lift (Mannequin Pinch): This targets the drooping tail of the eyebrow. By pulling the skin and deep tissues towards the temples, it smooths crow’s feet and opens the gaze laterally.
- Canthopexy: This involves tightening the outer canthal ligament without detaching or cutting it. It is the preferred option for a subtle effect and to reinforce the support of the lower eyelid.
- Canthoplasty: More radical, it involves cutting and repositioning the canthal tendon to permanently alter the palpebral fissure.
Before the procedure, an ophthalmological examination may be requested. Smoking cessation and stopping medications that promote bleeding (aspirin) are essential to minimize bruising.
The Procedure in Practice
The operation is generally performed as an outpatient procedure (discharge on the same day) under deep local anesthesia (neuroleptanalgesia) or light general anesthesia. It lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on associated procedures (such as blepharoplasty).
The surgeon makes discreet incisions:
- For the temporal lift: the incision is hidden within the scalp (intracapillary scar), making it invisible.
- For canthopexy: the incision is often located in the crease of the upper eyelid (blepharoplasty approach) or at the corner of the eye.
The surgical technique involves detaching the tissues, redraping the skin, and securely fixing the outer canthus to the periosteum (the membrane covering the orbital bone) in a higher and more oblique position. Deep, non-absorbable sutures ensure the longevity of the result.
Post-Operative Care
The recovery period involves a short social downtime, generally 7 to 10 days.
- Swelling and bruising: Swelling and bruising may appear around the eyes and extend down to the cheeks. They gradually subside.
- Feeling of tightness: Patients often feel their eyes are “too pulled” or squinted in the first few days. This is a normal reaction due to the necessary initial overcorrection (the tissue relaxes slightly afterward).
- Care: Ice packs, moisturizing eye drops, and ophthalmic ointments are prescribed. Makeup is allowed after the sutures are removed (around day 7).
Pain is generally very mild and well-managed with simple painkillers.
Results and Scars
The results begin to be noticeable after the swelling subsides (approximately 2 to 3 weeks), but it takes 3 to 6 months for the final outcome.
The gaze appears larger, brighter, and almond-shaped. The tail of the eyebrow is lifted, eliminating the “sad puppy” or tired look. The scar, hidden in the hair or natural folds, becomes almost imperceptible over time. Unlike thread lifts or injections (Botox), which have a temporary effect (a few months), surgery offers a long-lasting result.
Risks and Potential Complications
Although well-controlled, Fox Eye surgery carries risks inherent to any medical procedure:
- Asymmetry: A slight difference between the two eyes may persist or appear during healing.
- Chemosis: Swelling of the conjunctiva (the white of the eye) which can be bothersome but is temporary.
- Scarring: Although rare in this area, a scar may be more visible or raised.
- Under-correction or recurrence: Over time and due to gravity, tissues may slightly relax.
Choosing an expert oculoplastic or facial surgeon in Paris is crucial to minimize these risks and ensure a natural result.
Fees and Coverage
The cost varies depending on the complexity of the procedure (isolated canthopexy or combined with a temporal lift) and clinic fees. As this is a purely aesthetic procedure, it is not covered by social security or private health insurance.
Indicative price:
Temporal lift / Foxy eyes: starting from €5,000
