We are leaders in cosmetic surgery, facial aesthetics, and medically supervised weight loss, serving the entire San Francisco Bay area. Whether you live in the Bay Area or are coming in from out of town, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have on your path to your new self. Book your cosmetic surgery intro call or Med Spa consultation today and take the first step towards realizing the look you’ve always wanted for yourself.
Fat Grafting Behind Eyeballs to Lessen Hollowing?
Eyes that are sunken in the orbits can be described as enophthalmos. The anterior projection of the eye is usually measured relative to the outer edge of the orbit, the orbital rim, but can also be assessed relative to the maxillary prominences, or the contralateral eye. There are congenital cause s of enophthalmos but the most common reason is from trauma (orbital blow out fractures). Fat grafting is not a technique that is typically used. For patients that have significant orbital volume the orbit itself can be reshaped by cutting the bones that comprise the orbit or layering additional bone or titanium plates to decrease the volume. These are serious operations with the rare risks including blindness or impairment of the movement of occular muscles. Again, usually, patients needing these treatments have experienced facial trauma or have congenital facial bone defects. You should see a board-certified plastic surgeon for a complete evaluation.
Clinical Context
The eye socket is a small bony space holding the eyeball, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. When its walls are fractured or expanded, the eye can sink inward because the bone no longer supports it properly. Correcting this usually means restoring the bone's shape or size rather than adding soft tissue. Fat grafting can add volume, but it doesn't replace the structural support bone provides, which is why it isn't considered a reliable fix for true socket-related sunken eyes.
