Triple eyelids, an extra fold above the usual crease, are most commonly associated with people of Asian descent, especially East Asians, due to genetics and features like the epicanthic fold, but they can appear in any ethnicity, often developing with age as skin loses elasticity or fat, sometimes even after eyelid surgery.
Triple eyelid occurs when the upper eyelid has two folds instead of one. Several factors may be involved, but in most cases it is caused by redundant skin, fat atrophy, or an improper functioning of the eyelid's fibrous muscle tissue.
The highest frequency of occurrence of epicanthic folds is found in specific populations or ethnicities: East Asians, Southeast Asians, Central Asians, North Asians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Sámi people and some African people (especially among Khoisan and Nilotic people).
Three eyelids in aesthetic concept
In the cosmetic industry, triple eyelids are not considered beautiful eyes. The reason is because it makes: Your face is tilted at an angle from normal.
There isn't one single "rarest" eye shape globally, as rarity varies by population, but monolid eyes, hooded eyes, and upturned eyes (cat eyes) are often cited as less common variations compared to the universal almond shape, with conditions like heterochromia (different colored eyes) being rare genetic traits, and specific unusual pupil shapes (like keyhole) also extremely uncommon.
In Chinese we call these people literally knife mouth tofu heart. If you get in trouble you can rely on people with triple eyelids to help you out. If you're born with triple eyelids you tend to think far ahead for your career and you have vision and ambition far beyond ordinary people.
There is no universal eyelid structure that applies to every person. For example, in people of European ancestry, it's common for the upper eyelid to have a double fold. For those of Asian descent, it's more common to see a single fold in the upper eyelid.
Genetics. The gene for monolids is recessive. They are most common in people of East Asian descent, but can also be found in people of other races with almond-shaped & elongated eyes.
Most Common Causes of Hooded Eyes
Many Asians don't have double eyelids due to genetic differences. While this is completely normal, some individuals aspire to change it.
Some individuals develop more than one visible crease, a condition known as double crease eyelid. This can occur naturally with age or result from skin laxity or muscle tone changes. Others may experience a triple eyelid, where a second fold forms above the natural crease, often due to aging or fatigue.
A monolid is the lack of an upper eyelid crease above the lash line, and it occurs in about 50% of the Asian population. Plus, some have one double eyelid and one single eyelid shape.
The nictitating membrane is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some animals that can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining visibility. Fully developed nictitating membranes are found in fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals but are rare in primates.
The only proven ways to get rid of triple eyelids are with medical treatments, including injections or surgery. Home remedies aren't likely to be very effective, as multiple eyelid creases are typically caused by aging, but taking good care of your skin and health may help promote skin elasticity.
Some eye shapes are immediately recognisable as belonging to a specific ethnic group – Asians, being the most obvious – but eye shape is otherwise not ethnicity-dependent.
So while many Asians do have the “blue-eyed allele”, blue eyes themselves are still quite rare.
Monolid eyes are possible in people of all ethnicities. They may be more prevalent in ethnic groups with high rates of genetic conditions that cause monolids. For example, Phenylketonuria is most common in Native Americans and those of European descent.
Double eyelids are viewed as attractive because they make eyes appear bigger and more defined. The new crease enhances eye shape and balance.
In the Asian eyelid, there is a heavy presence of the type of fat known as pretarsal fat. This fat, when present in excess, has the potential to make one's eyes appear puffy.
These include symmetrical sides of the face, a high forehead, a large nose, pearl-like lips, a soft mouth, a strong chin, bright eyes, plump cheekbones, and prominent ears.
Defining the Condition (Triple Eyelid) is often a sign of structural changes or irregularities within the internal eyelid. Physically, this condition manifests as an extra crease forming directly above the natural fold.
Perhaps most striking of the Mongoloid characteristics are the eyes. The monolid, or epicanthic fold, is an adaptation to snow glare and snow blindness: the slit allows minimal reception to bright light.