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Chen’s Double Eyelid Fold Illusion: An Eye Size Assimilation Illusion Induced by a Supratarsal Fold in the Brow–Eye Unit, A Preliminary Report

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  • Oculoplastic
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Abstract

Background

Double eyelidplasty can enhance the eye size and facial attractiveness of Asian individuals with single eyelids. The authors hypothesize that a supratarsal fold can induce an eye size assimilation illusion to enhance eye dimensions and aesthetics, and seek to define the optimum vertical proportion between a supratarsal fold and the eye fissure associated with maximal induction of the size assimilation illusion.

Methods

A photometric study of the replicated photographs of ten female Taiwanese patients after double eyelidplasty was designed. Each photograph was edited by shifting the supratarsal folds vertically at a regular fold/eye ratio increment of 0.1. The perceived attractiveness of edited photographs of each patient was rated by 100 adult observers using a score of 1–5. The palpebral parameters were measured and analyzed.

Results

The mean rating score increased gradually when a supratarsal fold was added and peaked when the fold/eye ratio was 0.3 and the mean Chen’s double eyelid fold ratio was 0.631 ± 0.023. After the peak, the mean score decreased gradually and was lower than the photograph without a fold when the fold/eye ratio exceeded 0.5 and the mean Chen’s ratio exceeded 0.729 ± 0.027.

Conclusion

Within the optimal ranges of the fold/eye ratio and Chen’s double eyelid fold ratio, eyes are perceived as larger and more attractive due to a hybrid presentation of two interdependent eye size assimilation illusions induced by a supratarsal fold in the brow–eye unit. “Chen’s double eyelid fold illusion” is proposed to describe this complex visual phenomenon.

Level of Evidence IV

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Acknowledgements

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

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The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Sheng-Ni Chen

  2. College of Nursing, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

    Sheng-Hung Chen

  3. Regent Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, A, 12F, 2, Sec.4, Zhongxiao E. Rd, Taipei, Taiwan

    Chen-Chia Chen & Chien-Lin Huang

  4. Department of Plastic Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    Hao-Chih Tai

  5. Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    Yong-Ping Wang

Authors
  1. Sheng-Ni Chen
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  2. Sheng-Hung Chen
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  3. Chen-Chia Chen
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  4. Chien-Lin Huang
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  5. Hao-Chih Tai
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  6. Yong-Ping Wang
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Correspondence to Chen-Chia Chen.

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Chen, SN., Chen, SH., Chen, CC. et al. Chen’s Double Eyelid Fold Illusion: An Eye Size Assimilation Illusion Induced by a Supratarsal Fold in the Brow–Eye Unit, A Preliminary Report. Aesth Plast Surg 41, 1375–1381 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-017-0961-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-017-0961-5

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