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2025.07.04

Consultations for Ham Eyes Are Surging! A Plastic Surgeon Explains the Causes and Correction Methods for Ham Eyes ①

夏目 隆太郎
Supervising Physician
Ryutaro Natsume

A dual-specialty doctor with a background in plastic surgery, bridging cosmetic surgery and ophthalmology. At the university hospital, he performed numerous high-difficulty cases, primarily focusing on eye and facial bone surgeries, cultivating precise techniques grounded in anatomy. He prioritizes achieving both aesthetic beauty and functional safety, offering customized treatments around the eyes that incorporate ophthalmological expertise. He actively utilizes not only incisional surgery but also non-invasive procedures like hyaluronic acid injections. By carefully assessing each individual's condition and unique appeal, he provides bespoke treatments that guide patients toward naturally harmonious, well-defined eyes.

The Reiwa era's eye trend is natural double eyelids👁

 

Due to the recent trend toward natural looks, the focus has shifted from the belief in wide double eyelids to a trend favoring natural double eyelids that aren't too wide.

In accordance with thatConsultation on Hamster Eye Correctionis increasing

 

(Hammock Eye Case: Eyelid Skin Resection)

The hamster eye is,The area between the eyelashes and the double eyelid line appears unnaturally puffy and swollen.that is

It's called the ham eye because its rounded shape resembles boneless ham.

If it touches the lash line,Reasons why eyes appear smallcan also become

 

This article explains the causes of hamstrings and corrective surgery from a cosmetic surgeon's perspective.

Please excuse my crude hand-drawn diagram.

 

Before understanding ham eyes, first...

◎Double Mechanism

To put it simply,

The eyelid is divided into the anterior leaf (red text) and posterior leaf (blue text).

Superficial layer: Skin, orbicularis oculi muscle

Deep posterior layer: levator aponeurosis, Müller's muscle, conjunctiva

is composed of

When opening the eyes, the posterior lobe moves.

・For single eyelids

There is no connecting structure linking the anterior lobe and posterior lobe.Therefore, even when the eyes are opened, the anterior lobe is not pulled in or folded (i.e., it cannot form a double fold).

・In the case of double eyelids

There is a connecting structure linking the anterior lobe and posterior lobe.Therefore, when opening the eyes, the anterior lobe is pulled inward and folds over (i.e., becomes double).

 

The purpose of double shaping is to recreate the connecting structure linking the anterior and posterior lobes.

Buried suture method: sutures; full incision: recreating the double eyelid structure using internal eyelid tissue.

 

◎Causes of Ham Eyes 

Now that you understand how double eyelids work, let's talk about the causes of ham-shaped eyes.

Even if there is a connecting structure linking the anterior and posterior lobes, if they move independently, the anterior lobe on the ciliary side tends to be left behind without being sufficiently drawn in at the connection point.

That state is called "ham eyes."

Let's consider deep-set eyes as an example of one cause that makes one prone to having a "ham-like" appearance.

 

As shown in the figure, the front and rear sections will synchronize more smoothly when their respective vector directions of movement are parallel.

Conversely, if the vectors are not parallel, the linkage becomes poor.

In the case of a die roll, the vectors are approximately parallel.

For deep-set eyes, vectors ≠ parallel

That's why it's said that deep-set eyes tend to become ham eyes.

 

【Reference: Are you a dice roller?】[How to Tell if You Have Deep-Set Eyes?]

First, take a profile photo📱, comparing the center of the pupil with the height of the cheek below the pupil.

If the center of the pupil protrudes beyond the cheek below it, it is considered "protruding eyes."

If the center of the pupil is set deeper than the cheek below it, it is called "deep-set eyes." 

 

◎People prone to ham eyes

deep-set eyesAs mentioned earlier

thick eyelids

When the skin and orbicularis oculi muscle are thick, or there is excessive eyelid fat (omitted from the diagram for clarity),

The front leaf becomes too bulky, causing poor linkage.

・Desire for wide double eyelids

Even if it's a roll, the volume of the front leaf that gets pulled in relatively increases, causing poor linkage.

 

Next time, we'll explain practical methods to avoid ham eyes and how to correct them.

https://biancaclinic.jp/blog/42954/

Fees and Risks

FeesDouble Eyelid Surgery (Buried Method): ¥108,900~ Double Eyelid Surgery (Full Incision): ¥360,580 Ptosis Surgery: ¥602,580 (tax included)

RiskSwelling, bruising, asymmetry, scarring, etc.

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※There are various approaches to aesthetic medicine, and opinions and practices may differ among physicians. Please consider the information provided here as one reference only, and we hope you will choose medical care that suits you and meets your expectations.

We apologize if any unintended inaccuracies or misleading expressions were included. In such cases, we will make appropriate corrections or additions.

【Profile】

Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ryutaro Natsume

https://biancaclinic.jp/doctor/natsume/

Performed numerous facial surgeries, particularly focusing on the eye area and facial bones, in the field of plastic surgery.

Regarding treatments for the eye area, I believe that not only aesthetic appearance but also ophthalmic functionality is extremely important. To provide safer and more reliable treatments, I am currently deepening my expertise as an ophthalmologist.

We actively incorporate non-surgical procedures such as hyaluronic acid injections, in addition to treatments requiring surgical instruments.

From a multifaceted professional perspective encompassing cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, reconstructive surgery, and ophthalmology

BIANCA CLINIC, a leading Japanese clinic specializing in beauty and regenerative medicine, provides the latest aesthetic treatments.

【Career】

2020: Graduated from Tokyo Medical University Tokyo Metropolitan Saiseikai Central Hospital

2022 Jikei University Hospital Department of Plastic Surgery

2023 Department of Plastic Surgery Jikei University School of Medicine Kashiwa Hospital

2024 BIANCA CLINIC

【Professional Affiliations/Qualifications】

Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgery (JSAS)

Full Member of the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Full Member of the Japanese Society of Craniofacial Surgery

Full Member of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society

【SNS】

Instagram account 

 https://www.instagram.com/dr.natsume?igsh=OHBvd3VtajV1bmY1&utm_source=qr

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