The Use of Eye Tracking Technology in Aesthetic Surgery: Analyzing Changes in Facial Attention Following Surgery

Background

The ability to quantitatively analyze how we look at a face and determine if this changes following facial surgery should be of interest to the plastic surgeon. Eye tracking technology (ETT) provides the ability to record where observers fixate when viewing a facial image, enabling quantitative data to be obtained comparing pre- and postoperative changes.

Objectives

The authors sought to investigate ETT as a novel outcome assessment tool, determining if facial rejuvenation surgery shifts attention away from the prominent signs of aging, and if so, where this attention shifts.

Methods

Twenty-five volunteers viewed 32 randomized frontal, oblique, and lateral images of 11 patients pre- and post-facelift. An eye movement monitoring system recorded the observer’s eye position, net dwell time, fixation count, fixation time, and revisits into predefined areas of interest. Data were grouped and analyzed by angle and areas of interest. Paired t tests were employed to detect significant differences in pre- and post-images.

Results

On frontal images, less dwell time, fixations, and revisits were noted on the bottom third, forehead, perioral region, and neck (P < 0.05). On the lateral view, less visual attention was given to the neck, upper third, and perioral region, with more time in the cheek, nose, and middle third (P < 0.05). On oblique images, less attention was given to the neck and upper lid with more aimed at the middle third of the face (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

ETT provides quantitative data post-facial rejuvenation. Facial aesthetic surgery does alter where observers look when viewing a face, decreasing the time spent inspecting the prominent signs of aging.