Tear Trough Implants

Tear trough implants are used in a procedure done to correct a condition known as Tear Trough Deformity and/or to eliminate dark circles under the eyes. In a majority of older patients, the protruding eyelid skin and fat of their lower eyelids cast shadows that accentuate dark circles under their eyes.

Tear Trough Deformity

Tear Trough Deformity is a depression of the medial lower eyelid where it meets the cheek. With aging the dark circle under the eye becomes deeper, longer and runs down and out into the cheek. It is called the Tear Trough Deformity because tears run into the dark circle and out to the side of the cheek, instead of rolling straight down the cheek as they do when children cry.

For some people it is a small groove and for others it is extremely deep. The condition tends to worsen with age and is often hereditary. For many people the dark circles under the eyes associated with Tear Trough Deformity is their major complaint.

How is Tear Trough Implant Surgery Performed?

Tear trough implants are made of silicone, which is a soft, rubber-like material. The implant is inserted through a small incision, then placed over the bone mass under the eyelid for a fuller, more youthful appearance.

Oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Amiya Prasad uses a transconjunctival method of surgically inserting implants through a small laser incision in the inside of the eyelid. This advanced surgical technique leaves no visible signs of surgery or scars since no incision is made on the outside of the eyelid. Transconjunctival tear trough implant surgery has a faster post-operative healing time than other less effective surgical techniques due the surgery done with local anesthesia with LITE™ IV sedation rather than general anesthesia. Tear trough implant surgery does not change the shape of the lower eyelid.