Hooded eyes refer to an eye shape where excess skin and soft tissue around the eyebrow covers the eyelid, but not the eye itself. This condition is so-called because the skin forms a “hood” over the eyelid, leaving a visible crease. People with hooded eyes may find that their eyes appear smaller, and their eyelids may droop over the lash line.

Hooded eyes can be a natural eye shape that some people are born with, or they can develop as people age. Genetics play a role in determining eye shape, so if a parent has hooded eyes, their children may inherit them as well. Hooded eyes are more common in people of Asian descent.

While hooded eyes are a normal and common hereditary trait, some people may choose to correct them for cosmetic reasons. Makeup techniques such as eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara can help make hooded eyes look less hooded. Additionally, tapes and glues exist to pull the eyelid upward. For more permanent solutions, eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can remove excess skin or fat from the eyelids.