Superior Sulcus

A lack of adequate orbital fat around the eye can lead to a sunken, hollow appearance. Our skilled aesthetic specialists correct this issue using a variety of cutting-edge techniques, restoring a vibrant, youthful facial expression.

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Meet Dr. Caroline Vargason

As a board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon, Dr. Vargason has a deep understanding of the eye’s structures and knows how to improve your appearance without compromising your natural beauty and individuality. She is dedicated to delivering personalized, elegant results that will elevate your quality of life and restore your self-confidence.

What is an Upper Eyelid Superior Sulcus?

A sunken look in the upper eyelids along with a visible orbital bone can make a patient look older and more exhausted than they feel. In severe cases, they may resemble a skeleton. Hollowness in the upper lid area is referred to as a sulcus deformity. This is caused by an absence of fat that typically surrounds the eye. Orbital fat may decline due to aging, trauma, certain medications, and some medical conditions. Additionally, orbital fat decline may occur after an aggressive upper blepharoplasty that removes the fat pads.

How is the Condition Treated?

Fillers – Hollowness in the upper eyelids can be improved in several different ways. The first path to restoring the upper eye appearance is to use hyaluronic-based dermal fillers such as Restylane. Injectable fillers can improve volume, compensating for orbital fat loss due to surgery, aging, or illness. The filler is administered along the orbital bone rim framing the eyelids.

Autologous fat – The second option for treating a sulcus deformity is to use the patient’s own autologous fat as a volume booster. The fat is typically injected but it can also be placed as a graft. The fat cells are harvested from a donor region of the body via liposuction and are usually taken from the hips, stomach, or waist.

What Can I Expect From My Procedure?

If you are undergoing correction of superior sulcus hollowing with dermal fillers, treatment is short and typically takes fewer than 30 minutes to complete. Most fillers come with built-in lidocaine, a topical anesthetic. However, we may also apply a numbing agent 15 minutes prior to your injections to make sure you are completely comfortable and at ease. Filler is then injected into the upper lid area using a cannula, or slender tube, which is the ideal instrument for such a delicate facial region.

If you are undergoing a fat transfer procedure, the treatment time will be extended. Fat cells will be harvested from a donor area such as the hips, belly, or waist. They are then sterilized and purified in a centrifuge. Finally, your provider will inject the fat into the upper eye region, enhancing youthful volume and rejuvenating your appearance.

What is the Downtime?

If treatment is performed with dermal fillers, there is little to no downtime. Mild redness, swelling, and tenderness may occur at the injection sites, however. These side effects fade quickly within a few days and can be well-concealed with cosmetics.

The downtime after a facial fat transfer procedure is a bit more involved, as two areas of the body will need to recover rather than one. Swelling and bruising will occur in both the donor and recipient areas. Most patients will need up to 10 days of recuperation after the procedure.

Why Choose Nava Face & Eye?

Nava Face & Eye, founded by board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Caroline Vargason, provides concierge care and natural-looking outcomes for patients in and beyond Boise, ID. Our world-class practice boasts cutting-edge technology and diagnostic equipment and a dedicated team of experienced, knowledgeable aesthetic providers.

Both Dr. Vargason’s medical and doctorate degrees were obtained at UCLA, an internationally renowned training facility. Dr. Vargason completed her residency at the prestigious Vanderbilt Eye Institute before pursuing an elite fellowship at Cincinnati Eye Institute. Using active listening, Dr. Vargason conducts a thorough consultation process to create a success-oriented treatment plan that will help the patient achieve their unique cosmetic objectives. Call today to get started!