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Canthoplasty in Korea
Customized canthoplasty that brings out your natural charm
What is Canthoplasty?
Canthoplasty is a surgery that corrects the length and height of the eyes to make them look larger and clearer. Depending on the area treated, it is divided into epicanthoplasty (inner corner), lateral canthoplasty (outer corner), and lower canthoplasty (lower outer corner). It is one of the most representative cosmetic eye surgeries alongside double eyelid surgery.
Canthoplasty Key Information
Surgery Duration
60 minutes
Anesthesia
Sleep/local
Hospitalization
Same-day discharge
stitch removal
7 days
Recovery Period
About 7 days
Epicanthoplasty (Inner Canthoplasty)
Epicanthoplasty is a surgery that opens the Mongolian fold to lengthen the horizontal span of the eyes, correcting them into a more open and refreshed look.
What is a Mongolian fold (Epicanthal fold)?
The Mongolian fold is the skin above the inner corner of the eye that, when excessive, can cause the space between the eyes to look wide and creates a heavy, obstructed eye appearance.
If an excessive epicanthoplasty is performed, it can cause overexposure of the red conjunctival tissue (caruncle) or damage the tear duct, making the surgeon’s skill crucial.
Minimizing Visible Scarring
By nature, epicanthoplasty involves excising a considerable amount of skin, which can inevitably cause scarring. However, the degree of scarring can vary significantly depending on the surgeon’s skill level and the specific technique used.
Preventing Excessive Exposure of the Tear Caruncle
The tear caruncle has a reddish appearance, and performing an overdone epicanthoplasty carries the risk of exposing it excessively. Therefore, a well-proportioned canthoplasty must be performed to achieve natural and harmonious eyes.
Distinguishing True from Pseudo-Epicanthal Folds
If an excessive epicanthoplasty is performed on a pseudo-epicanthal fold—where eyelid sagging creates the illusion of a Mongolian fold—it can result in overexposure of the red tear caruncle. Consequently, if a pseudo-epicanthal fold is diagnosed, a brow-ptosis correction (brow-lift with ptosis correction) should be performed instead.
How is Epicanthoplasty Done?
1. 1:1 consultation & customized design
2. An incision is made along the upper line of the epicanthal fold
3. Skin tissue is removed around the fold, the inner skin and ligament tissues are shifted outward, and sutured.
4. A clearer and more defined look is completed.
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Recommended Candidates for Epicanthoplasty
- Those with a wide space between their eyes
- Those whose eyes look heavy or cramped because of Mongolian folds covering them
- Those who want clearer and more defined eyes
- Those who want to extend the horizontal length of their eyes
Lateral Canthoplasty (Outer Canthoplasty)
Lateral canthoplasty is a surgery that expands the horizontal length of the eye by making an incision in the skin at the outer corner. Because lateral canthoplasty involves incising the outer canthal ligament, cosmetic or functional issues may arise, and the overall impression varies depending on the outer corner’s angle. Therefore, this procedure requires high-precision surgical skill.
The Importance of Outer Corner Shape
The outer corner of the eye is firmly supported by the outer canthal ligament, which is formed by the junction of the superior and inferior palpebral ligaments. The shape of the outer corner is a crucial factor in shaping the eye’s overall impression. An angle elevated about 5 to 8 degrees above the horizontal line is considered ideal; an angle higher than this can give a fierce or sharp impression, making outer corner angle correction recommended.
How is Lateral Canthoplasty Done?
1. 1:1 consultation & customized design
2. An incision is made in the outer canthal skin and conjunctiva.
3. The periosteum of the lateral orbital bone is dissected, and the severed lower lateral canthal ligament is firmly anchored to the periosteum.
4. A clearer and more defined look is achieved.
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Recommended Candidates for Lateral Canthoplasty
- Those whose eyes look heavy or cramped due to a short horizontal eye length
- Those who have a fierce or sharp impression because the outer corners of their eyes are tilted up too high
- Those whose heavy, narrow eyes are not fully corrected by epicanthoplasty alone
- Those for whom performing epicanthoplasty is difficult
Lower Canthoplasty
Lower canthoplasty is a surgical procedure that adjusts the angle of the outer corner of the eye to match facial proportions. For cases where the lower part of the iris is heavily covered—creating a heavy or narrow appearance—this surgery increases the vertical width of the eye to achieve an ideal eye shape.
How Is Lower Canthoplasty Done?
1. 1:1 consultation & customized design
2. An incision is made inside the conjunctiva along the outer corner of the eye
3. The angle of the outer corner is adjusted and fixed below the eyelid retractor muscle.
4. A clearer and more defined look is achieved.
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Recommended Candidates for Lower Canthoplasty
- Those whose eyes look heavy or narrow due to a small vertical eye height
- Those who have a fierce or sharp impression because the outer corners of their eyes are turned upward
- Those who did not see sufficient results from epicanthoplasty or lateral canthoplasty
- Those who want to expose more of the sclera (white of the eye) to create clearer and more defined eyes
Before & After
Eye surgery Before & After- Eye surgery Before & After
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- Eye surgery Before & After
- Eye surgery Before & After
- Eye surgery Before & After
- Eye surgery Before & After
- Eye surgery Before & After
- Eye surgery Before & After
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Gangnam District, Nonhyeon-ro, 842 압구정빌딩 1층
- I had a deep facelift done at LaBen, and it's only been 8 days, so I feel pretty good. They do deep facelifts, and I could feel the effects immediately … More after the procedure. But we'll have to see how the recovery goes. The doctor and translator were very friendly, and their service is really excellent.
- I thought about it a lot, but I'm glad I had the surgery here. I am satisfied with the results.
- They examined me thoroughly during the consultation, so I trusted them and went ahead with the procedure. The hospital is clean, and although it has only … More been three days, I am looking forward to the recovery as it seems like it will go well.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is canthoplasty?
Canthoplasty is surgery that adjusts the length and height of the eyes to create a larger, clearer appearance. It includes epicanthoplasty for the inner corner, lateral canthoplasty for the outer corner, and lower canthoplasty for the lower outer corner.
How long does canthoplasty take, and what is the recovery like?
The surgery takes about 60 minutes and is performed with sleep or local anesthesia. Same-day discharge is expected, stitches are removed after 7 days, and the recovery period is about 7 days.
What does epicanthoplasty treat?
Epicanthoplasty opens the Mongolian fold at the inner corner of the eye to lengthen the eyes horizontally and create a more open, refreshed look.
What is a Mongolian fold?
A Mongolian fold, also called an epicanthal fold, is skin above the inner eye corner. When it is excessive, it can make the space between the eyes appear wide and give the eyes a heavy or obstructed appearance.
Who may consider epicanthoplasty?
You may consider epicanthoplasty if you have a wide space between the eyes, Mongolian folds that make your eyes look heavy or cramped, or if you want a clearer look and greater horizontal eye length.
Why is a careful approach important for epicanthoplasty?
Because too much correction may excessively expose the reddish tear caruncle or affect the tear duct. Careful, proportionate correction also helps minimize visible scarring and supports a natural-looking result.
What happens if I have a pseudo-epicanthal fold?
A pseudo-epicanthal fold can be caused by eyelid sagging rather than an actual Mongolian fold. In that situation, brow-ptosis correction with a brow lift and ptosis correction may be recommended instead of excessive epicanthoplasty.
How is epicanthoplasty performed?
After a one-to-one consultation and customized design, an incision is made along the upper line of the epicanthal fold. Skin around the fold is removed, and the inner skin and ligament tissues are shifted outward and sutured.
What does lateral canthoplasty do?
Lateral canthoplasty lengthens the eye horizontally by making an incision at the outer corner. It can also help adjust an overly upturned outer-corner angle that contributes to a sharp or fierce appearance.
Who may consider lateral canthoplasty?
You may consider lateral canthoplasty if your eyes look heavy or cramped because of short horizontal length, if your outer corners tilt upward too much, if epicanthoplasty alone does not sufficiently correct narrow-looking eyes, or if epicanthoplasty is difficult to perform.
How is lateral canthoplasty performed?
Following a one-to-one consultation and customized design, an incision is made in the outer canthal skin and conjunctiva. The lateral orbital bone periosteum is dissected, and the severed lower lateral canthal ligament is anchored firmly to the periosteum.
What does lower canthoplasty do?
Lower canthoplasty adjusts the angle of the outer eye corner to suit facial proportions. It can increase the vertical width of the eye when the lower iris is heavily covered and the eyes look heavy or narrow.
Who may consider lower canthoplasty?
You may consider lower canthoplasty if you have limited vertical eye height, upward-turned outer corners, insufficient results from epicanthoplasty or lateral canthoplasty, or if you want to show more of the white of the eye for a clearer appearance.
How is lower canthoplasty performed?
After a one-to-one consultation and customized design, an incision is made inside the conjunctiva along the outer eye corner. The outer-corner angle is then adjusted and fixed below the eyelid retractor muscle.