Sanpaku eyes: Meaning, psychology and how to tell if you have them
What are sanpaku eyes?
The term sanpaku comes from the Japanese language. It means “three whites,” and, when referencing the eyes, equates to the white part of the eye showing either above or below the iris.
Sanpaku eyes vs. “typical” eyes
When looking at your own eyes in a mirror or reflection, chances are you’ll see the pupil and iris in the middle and the whites (sclera) on either side. The position of the iris and pupil can change as you look in different directions or “roll” your eyes up or down. But generally, this is how eyes appear.
Sanpaku refers to eyes that have more scleral visibility. This means that more white is visible above or below the iris.
The term sanpaku eyes has roots in Japanese face reading. Face reading is a type of physiognomy. Physiognomy is the practice of describing someone’s character, health or personality traits based on their physical appearance. It generally applies to the features of the face specifically.
Sanpaku eyes are often associated with Japanese face reading or cultural beliefs about psychological or personality traits. In some traditions, there are two types of sanpaku eyes:
Yin sanpaku eyes
Yang sanpaku eyes
FURTHER READING: Eye anatomy: A closer look at the parts of the eye
What is scleral show?
Scleral show (or scleral exposure) is a medical term that describes sclera (white of the eye) visibility above or below the iris. It is an anatomical condition that can occur due to heredity, hormones, trauma or aging as the bones shift and change shape. Lower scleral show can also be a complication of ocular or facial surgeries such as blepharoplasty (eyelid lift).
Lower scleral show, also called inferior scleral show, can produce a wide-eyed appearance or make the eyes look bigger. Even though this is considered a complication in the context of blepharoplasty, lower scleral show can be a desired look for some. This may be due to cultural standards of beauty or cultural beliefs about any physiological implications.
What does having sanpaku eyes, or scleral show, mean?
The implications of sanpaku eyes are drawn from Japanese physiognomy, or face reading. Face reading is an art form that holds a great deal of significance in Japanese culture and other Eastern cultures.
Alternative medicine practitioners may read sanpaku eyes as a sign of spiritual, mental or physical imbalance. Then, depending on their cultural beliefs, they may assign the imbalance to health or personality traits. However, it’s important to note that psychological and other assessments of sanpaku eyes are rooted in superstition.
In reality, scleral show is simply inherited or can be the result of aging, injury or disease. Scleral show may also be caused by complications from blepharoplasty (eyelid lift surgery). If this complication arises, it can be corrected with medical treatment, such as hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
Cooperative eye hypothesis
Cooperative eye hypothesis (CEH) is a suggested evolutionary explanation for the appearance of the human eye. It asserts that our eyes developed with their distinctive appearance to make glance-based communication easier. One of the features of our eyes that especially stands out is the sclera.
The sclera is white because it is devoid of pigment. According to the cooperative eye hypothesis, the white of the sclera helps the other eye features (the iris and pupil) be more distinct. Allegedly, this allows us to more easily follow glances and see where people are looking when communicating.
Even though it is not universally agreed upon, the cooperative eye hypothesis still serves as a possible explanation for the appearance of the human eye.
Is scleral show rare?
Scleral show is not necessarily rare. In research measuring eyelid position in healthy people, almost half of the participants showed some degree of visible white below the iris. On average, this lower scleral show measured about 0.4 millimeters.
The study also found that the amount of scleral show varied slightly among individuals. The more the eyes bulge forward, the more likely the lower eyelid pulls down, showing more of the white part of the eye. This happens less when the eye socket angle is larger.
The findings suggest that having visible white beneath the iris happens more often than people might think.
Do any famous people have sanpaku eyes?
Sanpaku eyes are simply one of the many natural differences in how human eyes are shaped.
Sanpaku eyes first gained attention in Western culture when author George Ohsawa used the face reading technique to assess American president John F. Kennedy, who has noticeable scleral exposure in some photographs.
Since sanpaku eyes are not rare, there are many celebrities and noncelebrities alike with this distinct eye appearance. Some famous examples based on pictures, include:
Billie Eilish
Diana Ross
Marilyn Monroe
Twiggy
Michael Jackson
Diana, Princess of Wales
Should I see an eye doctor for sanpaku eyes or scleral show?
Sanpaku eyes is not a medical condition that implies any underlying issues or needs correction. However, when scleral show is caused by blepharoplasty complications, trauma or aging, it is recommended to schedule a comprehensive eye examination with an eye doctor to evaluate your condition.
