The Mechanics Behind Optifold's Directional Control
1. F-Tape Anchoring
The f-tape is applied while the eyelid is fully extended. It adheres just above the lash line, stabilizing the skin along the primary tension line. This forms the foundation of the crease path.
2. Lid Compression Plate - Upper Contact
The upper portion of the n-tape (Lid Compression Plate) adheres to the skin that folds over the f-tape. This section applies downward compression to initiate crease shaping.
3. Lid Compression Plate - Lower Contact
The lower zone of the Compression Plate adheres to the exposed lower edge of the f-tape, creating a “pinch” that reinforces the skin fold from both sides.
4. Tension Bridge (Non-Adhesive)
The legs of the n-tape span the eyelid margin without adhesive. This preserves lash mobility and blink function, while continuing to transmit downward mechanical force.
5. Tension Transmission
The force from the Lid Compression Plate is guided downward through the Tension Bridge toward the lower eyelid region. This reinforces skin folding without invasive pressure.
6. Froggy Toe Anchoring
The ends of the n-tape legs — called froggy toes — anchor just below the lower eyelid. These adhesive pads complete the tension circuit, holding the entire structure in place.
Technical Summary:
The Optifold tape system uses a vertically distributed mechanical design to retrain eyelid skin behavior. The f-tape initiates the crease-forming pathway by targeting the dominant skin tension line while the eyelid is stretched. Once the f-tape is in place, the n-tape’s Lid Compression Plate presses down on the skin that would naturally fold, creating a dual-contact zone that locks the fold trajectory. The Tension Bridge spans the blink margin without adhesive, allowing for unrestricted lash movement and natural eye function. Finally, downward force is stabilized by the froggy toes — adhesive anchors that transmit vertical load and complete the mechanical loop. This dynamic interplay between compression, flexion, and anchoring supports crease formation not by force, but by teaching the skin how to behave consistently over time.
📸 Visual Guide: Optifold Application in 10 Steps
✨ Behind the Scenes: The images presented below depict our earlier handcrafted prototypes of the Optifold tapes. These prototypes were utilized during our developmental phase prior to establishing partnership agreements with our existing medical device manufacturer. Each photo captures the engineering intent that would later evolve into the Optifold method you see today.
