Nonsurgical volumetric upper periorbital rejuvenation: a plastic surgeon's perspective

In the aging process, upper periorbits can be divided broadly into two groups. Group 1 is characterized primarily by soft tissue ptosis of the upper eyelid, which requires surgical excision. The patients in group 2, show volume depletion of the soft tissue and bony resorption of the orbit, characterized by deflation of the upper eyelid as well as sunken, hollow, and skeletonized orbits. Currently, structural fat grafting is the only means for adding volume the depleted upper periorbit. It is, however, an invasive procedure associated with fairly significant morbidities, long downtime, and hence poor patient acceptance. The advent of safe hyaluronic acid (HA)-based dermal filler has, in the authors' opinion, revolutionized treatment for this group of oculoplastic patients. In the current series, 36 patients with volume depletion of the periorbit were treated with HA dermal fillers to restore the smooth arc of the upper periorbit. The average volume required ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 ml of filler. Despite the relatively small volume required, the upper periorbital aesthetics of the patients were successfully and dramatically transformed. At this writing, the longest follow-up period has been 3.5 years, with the patient still maintaining periorbital volume. No significant morbidities occurred. Given the multiple risks and the resistance of patients to structural fat grafting compared with HA dermal fillers, the authors believe that this nonsurgical technique for adding volume to the periorbit should become the method of choice for this group of oculoplastic patients.