Hollow/Sunken Eyes
Hollow or sunken eyes can significantly impact your facial appearance, often making you look tired and older than you feel. These changes, whether due to ageing, genetics, lack of sleep, or weight loss, can be distressing but are treatable. At Perfect Eyes Clinic, we specialise in restoring volume and vitality to the eye area with advanced treatments.
What are Hollow/Sunken Eyes?
Sunken eyes, also known as hollow eyes, occur when the skin under the eyes appears dark and sunken, the eye socket looks large, and the eyes seem deeply set in the socket.
Some individuals naturally have sunken eyes from a young age due to a significant genetic predisposition, but they can also develop and worsen with age. However, the primary cause of sunken eyes is the thinning of the skin under the eyes, which is a result of the natural ageing process involving the loss of collagen and elastin.
Causes of Hollow/Sunken Eyes
Ageing
Under eye hollows often develop with age due to the degeneration of eye muscles and surrounding tissues, causing the skin beneath the lower eyelids to sink.
Dehydration
Severe dehydration can lead to sunken eyes, particularly in children, though adults can also experience this effect when fluid levels drop significantly.
Lack of Sleep
Chronic fatigue and lack of sleep can accentuate hollows under the eyes, making them appear more pronounced and deep-set.
Weight Gain or Loss
Rapid weight fluctuations can shift facial fat distribution, leading to hollow or sunken areas beneath the eyes.
Genetics
If under-eye hollows run in your family, you may be genetically predisposed to developing them, regardless of age or lifestyle.
Enophthalmos
Characterised by one or both sunken eyes, this may result from trauma, bone loss, weight loss, autoimmune diseases, or conditions like metastatic breast cancer.
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Treatments for Hollow/Sunken Eyes
Superior Sulcus FillerEyelid filler procedure is painless and uses hyaluronic acid to fill sunken areas around the eyes. Results are immediate right after the treatment with minimal downtime.Learn more
Temple FillersTemple fillers offer immediate improvement with minimal downtime. A hyaluronic acid-based filler is injected into the temple hollow using a needle or cannula.Learn more
Tear Trough FillersTear trough fillers provide a quick, painless procedure with long-lasting results. The area is numbed, filler is precisely injected, and expert skincare advice ensures lasting effects.Learn more
Meet the Expert: Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai
MS, FRCS (Ed) Ophth
Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai, MS, FRCS (Ed) Ophth is a multi-award-winning Oculoplastic Reconstructive Surgeon and Aesthetic Practitioner specialising in reconstructive, revisional, and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, as well as non-surgical treatments for the eyes and face. With 25 years of surgical and 17 years of non-surgical experience, she is globally recognised for her pioneering, minimally invasive techniques.
Named in Tatler’s Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide every year since 2019, she is known as the “go-to” surgeon for discerning patients seeking subtle, natural results, and is highly sought after for revisional procedures by those who have undergone previous fillers or eyelid surgeries.
- Listed on the Royal College of Surgeons of England register of Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeons
- Listed in Tatler’s Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide as a top practitioner for eyes, eight consecutive years, 2019-2026
- 25 years of surgical and 17 years of non-surgical experience
Frequently asked questions
Call or email us today, we would be delighted to answer your questions.
- Sunken eyes are also called under eye hollows or tear trough hollows. Everyone's sunken eyes may look different, but they usually make the eyes look tired and the skin under the eyes seems thinner.
- One way to help your sunken eyes look better is to drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin hydrated. This can make the skin under your eyes look plumper. You can also gently massage around your eyes to improve blood flow and reduce puffiness.
- Sunken eyes can be caused by not getting enough of certain important nutrients that are needed for healthy skin and facial structure. For example, not having enough Vitamin C, which helps make collagen, can lead to the skin under the eyes losing its elasticity and fullness.
Common symptoms of sunken eyes include:
- Dark circles under the eyes.
- Double vision (if caused by an eye fracture).
- Dry eyes.
- Droopy or pulled back upper eyelids.
- Asymmetrical eye positioning.
- Tired-looking eyes.
- You can try eating more leafy, dark green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, sprouts, and kale because they have a lot of antioxidants. It's also a good idea to cut back on caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee.
- Usually, sunken eyes are more likely due to ageing and genetics, not weight loss. But when you lose fat, you lose it from your whole body, including your face. So, if you have significant weight loss, it might make sunken eyes look a bit worse.
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