Hooded eyes, also known as saggy eyelids, are a common facial feature that can be caused by genetics or aging. They are characterized by extra skin folding down from the brow bone to the lash line, which obscures the eyelid crease and can make the eyes look smaller. The skin can drape all the way down, even reaching as far as the lash line, and can potentially get in the way of vision if it droops really low. People with hooded eyes have heavy brow bones and deep-set creases, and the skin hangs down low enough that the creases are covered up, causing the upper eyelids to look smaller. Hooded eyes can be confused with droopy eyes, but they are not the same. Droopy eyelids can affect a person’s ability to keep their eyes open all the way, while hooded eyes are a normal hereditary trait that don’t usually affect vision.

If you’re not happy with the aesthetic change caused by hooded eyes and it’s affecting your confidence or self-esteem, you might want to explore options for treatment. Some treatment options include dermal fillers, laser therapy, and surgery to lift the eyebrow and remove excess skin, fat, and soft tissue. Doctors perform these procedures under either local or general anesthesia and will discuss the risks. However, most people with hooded eyes do not need medical attention unless they cannot see clearly or find the appearance of their hooded eyes distressing.