What is a hollow eye ?
A hollow eye has an empty appearance in the upper eyelid area. It should be distinguished from a round eye, in which the sclera (the white part of the eyeball) is less covered by the eyelids. A hollow eye often creates the impression of a round eye, but these are two different conditions.
Hollow eyes age the eye area and create a tired appearance. A youthful eye is a full eye !
Highlights
Hollow eye treatment in Geneva
Hollow eyes are characterised by volume loss in the upper eyelid area. This aesthetic concern is often associated with pronounced dark circles, tired-looking eyes and thin skin around the eyes.
How can hollow eyes be corrected ? Hyaluronic acid injections offer an effective, safe solution for correcting hollow eyes. The eye area looks rejuvenated and radiant.
Until a few years ago, this aesthetic concern could only be treated surgically : by upper eyelid fat transfer.
Thanks to medical advances, hollow eyes can now be filled without significant after-effects by injecting hyaluronic acid into the upper eyelid area.
The procedure is performed at the practice in around fifteen minutes.
Why does the eye become hollow?
Hollowing of the eye results from fat and/or bone volume loss.
Upper eyelid hollowing can be caused by several factors.
- Ageing : over time, bone is resorbed and skin loses elasticity, causing tissues to sag.
- Collagen loss : declining collagen and elastin production makes the skin thinner and more fragile.
- Aggressive blepharoplasty : removal of too much fat.
- Genetics : some people are naturally predisposed to hollow eyes.
- Lifestyle : stress, insufficient sleep and an unbalanced diet can accentuate the problem.
How can sunken eyes be corrected ?
To reduce the appearance of sunken eyes, the responsible factors must be identified.
This condition often results from volume loss, creating a hollow, tired appearance.
To address this, the non-surgical option available in aesthetic medicine is hyaluronic acid injections.
Hyaluronic acid injections are particularly effective because they restore lost volume and fill hollows naturally and harmoniously. This safe, meticulous procedure restructures the eye area, reducing the appearance of sunken eyes. The face looks more rested and rejuvenated.
Can hollow eyes be prevented ?
There is no real way to prevent hollow eyes. Skincare and lifestyle influence hydration and skin radiance in this area.
It is therefore recommended to :
- Maintain good hydration, which is essential for skin health.
- Use skincare : moisturisers and serums containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and retinol help maintain skin elasticity
- Apply sun protection to prevent premature skin ageing.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Get sufficient, good-quality sleep.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
How can hyaluronic acid fill a hollow eye ?
The upper eyelid area is filled using hyaluronic acid injections in aesthetic medicine and upper eyelid fat transfer in aesthetic surgery.
Dr Romano uses a non-hydrophilic hyaluronic acid, injecting it with a cannula along the upper orbital rim.
Between one and three syringes are used, beyond this, the doctor recommends surgical fat transfer instead.
Filling must be gradual to allow the product to settle correctly.
Dr Romano often injects only one syringe (for both eyes) per session. Sessions must be spaced two months apart.
Because of its technical difficulty, few doctors perform this injection.
Hyaluronic acid for
filling hollow eyes
Hyaluronic acid injections to correct hollow eyes are a quick procedure.
During the initial consultation, Dr Romano assesses the patient's anatomy, discusses their expectations and explains the achievable result.
For very pronounced hollows, surgery is the best solution and sometimes the only one.
Significant upper eyelid skin laxity may become more noticeable after injections, in these cases, Dr Romano will explain this and usually advise against injections.
Hyaluronic acid is carefully injected along the upper orbital rim, against the bone rather than into the upper eyelid, using a cannula. A cannula is a needle with a rounded tip.
Injection into the upper eyelid causes permanent swelling, lumps and the Tyndall effect
The procedure generally takes around ten minutes and causes little pain.
After the procedure, patients are asked to avoid sun exposure and physical activity for the first 24 hours.
Safety of injections around the eyes
The safety of hyaluronic acid injections around the eyes is a primary concern for patients and doctors.
Although minimally invasive, this procedure must be performed by an experienced, trained doctor to ensure optimal, risk-free results.
Regarding the outcome, an unsuccessful injection can cause :
- Surface irregularities and a wavy appearance.
- A narrowed appearance of the eyes because of overfilling.
- Permanent swelling.
- The Tyndall effect : the hyaluronic acid turns purple.
- Visible lumps because of injection into an overly superficial layer.
For a risk-free injection, consult an experienced doctor who has : thorough knowledge of the anatomy around the eyes, complete technical mastery of the procedure and a highly developed ability to assess the eye area.
Eye-area rejuvenation with
hyaluronic acid
Depending on the patient's needs and wishes, a comprehensive approach to the eye area is provided.
- Treatment of crow's feet.
- Opening up the eyes.
- Filling the temples.
- Treatment of dark circles and the tear trough.
Before/after results of hollow eye treatment
The result is not truly immediate. The eyelids are swollen at the end of the session. This swelling increases to a varying degree over the following days.
The final result is achieved three weeks after injection. The eyes look rested and rejuvenated. The face appears brighter. Bruising is rare.
Top-ups are performed every two years, requiring only one syringe regardless of the quantity used for the first injection.
Price of hyaluronic acid for hollow eyes
In Geneva, the price of a hyaluronic acid injection to fill a hollow eye is CHF 900 per syringe. The number of syringes needed is assessed during the medical consultation according to the depth of the hollow and the patient's facial structure. Often, 2 syringes are sufficient. For significant hollowing extending around the upper eyelid, Dr Romano may refer you to a surgeon to consider fat transfer.
Hyaluronic acid injections for hollow eyes, reviews
Reviews from patients who have had hyaluronic acid injections to fill hollow eyes are predominantly positive.
Many express great satisfaction with the improvement in their eye area : their eyes look less tired and rejuvenated.
Patients particularly appreciate : the non-invasive nature of the procedure ; the speed of results ; the short recovery time, allowing a quick return to usual activities.
A retrospective study involving 27 patients assessed hyaluronic acid injections for correcting upper-eyelid hollowing. Independent assessors observed an improvement in 85% of patients based on photographs. These results suggest that injections may be useful in selected cases, provided eyelid anatomy and the volume loss to be corrected are precisely assessed.
A study involving 154 patients describes treatment of upper-eyelid hollows with hyaluronic acid, either alone or combined with surgery. Of these patients, 128 had received injections only. Clinical follow-up at twelve months found high satisfaction. The authors highlight the importance of distinguishing volume loss from excess skin in order to tailor management.
A prospective study involving 46 adults assessed hyaluronic acid injections for correcting upper-eyelid hollows. At six months, 91% of patients considered the result very good or exceptional. Medical and patient assessments agreed on the aesthetic improvement. These observations concern the protocol studied, performed using a cannula in selected patients.
Frequently asked questions
Are hyaluronic acid injections for hollow eyes painful ?
Most patients experience little or no pain.
What aftercare is needed following hyaluronic acid injections for hollow eyes ?
Patients are asked to avoid sun exposure, saunas and physical activity for 24 hours.
How can age-related eye hollowing be prevented ?
Age-related eye hollowing cannot be prevented. Certain measures slow skin ageing around the eyes. Maintaining good hydration of the skin around the eyes with specific moisturisers is recommended.
To combat premature skin ageing, protecting the skin from the sun with sunglasses and sunscreen is recommended.
How long do hollow eye injection results last ?
Results can last between one and two years, depending on the patient's metabolism and the product used.
What natural treatments are available for hollow eyes ?
The only effective treatments are hyaluronic acid injections and upper eyelid fat transfer.
What non-surgical alternatives are available to treat hollow eyes ?
Hyaluronic acid injections effectively fill hollows. The results are temporary but long-lasting.
Further reading
When should facial injections be stopped ?
Understand the limits of injections and situations where significant hollowing or excess skin may lead to considering another approach.
What is the difference between aesthetic medicine and facial cosmetic surgery ?
Understand the differences between correction with injections and surgery, depending on the extent of hollowing and tissue laxity.
Does facial aesthetic medicine involve risks ?
Learn about possible side effects of injections and the importance of medical assessment in a delicate area such as the eye contour.
