Canthoplasty FAQ

Yes, reversal surgery is possible for both epicanthoplasty and lateral canthoplasty, but the goal is to naturally reduce an over-opened area rather than fully restore the eye to its pre-surgery state. Epicanthoplasty reversal uses the surrounding skin to recreate the epicanthal fold and reduce excessive exposure of the inner corner, while lateral canthoplasty reversal reattaches the widened outer corner to the periosteum. The extent of correction depends on existing scars and the amount of remaining skin.

Canthoplasty is divided into epicanthoplasty (inner corner), upper epicanthoplasty, lateral canthoplasty (outer corner), and lower canthoplasty, depending on which part of the eye is opened. Epicanthoplasty addresses the epicanthal fold covering the inner corner, upper epicanthoplasty opens the area above the inner corner so the inner corner looks more open, lateral canthoplasty moves the outer corner outward or downward, and lower canthoplasty widens the lower eyelid margin to adjust the eye's width-to-height ratio. The plan is based on the distance between the eyes, eye proportions, and the look you want.

Epicanthoplasty is surgery that releases the epicanthal fold covering the inner corner of the eye to reveal the hidden inner part and lengthen the eye horizontally. It is considered when the epicanthal fold makes the eyes look less open, or when the eyes look set far apart. The surgery takes about 30 minutes for each type of canthoplasty performed and is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation.

An epicanthal fold is a fold of skin covering the inner corner of the eye, and it is common in East Asian eyes. A large epicanthal fold can hide the inner part of the eye, making the eyes look small and less open or set far apart, and it can also hide the front of the double eyelid crease. If you want to correct it, epicanthoplasty (inner corner) or upper epicanthoplasty is considered.

Yes, epicanthoplasty is not recommended when the eyes are close together or there is almost no epicanthal fold, because it can make the eyes look too close together or give a harsh look. Even with reversal surgery, it is difficult to fully return to the pre-surgery state, so it is important to check the distance between the eyes, its ratio to the eye's horizontal length, and the size of the epicanthal fold, and to open only as much as needed.

Epicanthoplasty (inner corner) releases the epicanthal fold to open the inner corner inward and increase the horizontal length of the eye, while upper epicanthoplasty opens the skin above the inner corner to reduce the part that hides the start of the double eyelid line and the constricted look. Upper epicanthoplasty is mainly considered when you want to soften the inner corner without greatly changing the distance between the eyes, and epicanthoplasty when the eyes are far apart and need more horizontal length.

Lateral canthoplasty (outer corner) opens the area outside the outer corner to move its position. It can lengthen the eye horizontally or raise or lower the outer corner. Lower canthoplasty widens the lower eyelid to increase the vertical height of the eye for a more open look. Lateral canthoplasty is considered when the eyes look short, and lower canthoplasty when the lower part of the pupil is largely covered or little of the outer white shows; the two are often done together.

Yes, after lateral canthoplasty, part of the incision can reattach during healing, so in some cases the effect is less than expected. Because the bone and ligament structure of the outer corner limits how far it can be extended, it is important to check the outer corner structure first and plan the expected effect and the extent of opening before surgery.

After canthoplasty, stitches are removed 7 days after epicanthoplasty and upper epicanthoplasty and 7–10 days after lateral canthoplasty, while lower canthoplasty has no stitches to remove. Daily activities are possible right after surgery, but many people return to work or school after the stitches are removed. When canthoplasty is done alone, swelling and bruising tend to be mild, and makeup on the treated area and contact lenses can be resumed after 4 weeks.

Canthoplasty involves a skin incision, so it does leave a scar, but because the incision follows the epicanthal fold or the border of the outer corner, it is often not very noticeable after recovery. Redness may be present early on and gradually fades over several months, and how noticeable the scar becomes depends on skin type, constitution, and aftercare.

After epicanthoplasty, the stitched area can look bumpy for a while. In most cases it improves over time. If the scar still looks bumpy after 6 months or more, a revision may be needed.

Besides temporary swelling, bruising, and a foreign-body sensation, canthoplasty can rarely cause scarring, asymmetry, eyes that look too close together or harsh from overcorrection, or reattachment that reduces the effect. After lateral or lower canthoplasty, the conjunctiva near the outer corner may look red or the eyes may water more at first, but this gradually improves with healing. Rarely, conjunctival swelling (chemosis) can occur and may last for several months. It is important to accurately assess the eye proportions before surgery and open only as much as needed.

Men also have canthoplasty, and because many men do not want their eyes to change dramatically, the amount of change is planned to be small. Opening too much can make the look sharp or unnatural, so it is important to correct only the areas that need it, such as when a large epicanthal fold makes the eyes look constricted.

Canthoplasty can be combined with double eyelid surgery or ptosis correction. When the epicanthal fold covers the inner end of the double eyelid line, adding epicanthoplasty (inner corner) or upper epicanthoplasty can help the line flow naturally, and if eye opening is weak, adding ptosis correction can also improve the vertical height of the eyes. When several procedures are combined, the amount of each correction is set by looking at the overall proportions of the eyes.

Canthoplasty usually takes about 30 minutes per area, and both local anesthesia and IV sedation are possible. Combining several areas, or adding double eyelid surgery or ptosis correction, takes longer, and the type of anesthesia is decided at consultation after checking your health and the extent of surgery.

The cost of canthoplasty depends on which areas are treated, whether combined procedures such as double eyelid surgery or ptosis correction are done, and whether it is a revision. The extent of surgery differs with your eye condition, so the exact cost can be given after consultation.