Epicanthoplasty / Lateral Canthoplasty - SM Plastic Surgery

Fine suturing keeps scarring down; within 2–3 months it becomes barely visible.

Where the epicanthal fold is pronounced, combining medial canthoplasty with an upward release lets the crease show naturally, and a better-settled result can be expected.

Because medial canthoplasty carries a chance of re-adhesion, SM Plastic Surgery uses precise techniques to limit it.

Yes — in fact, doing it together with double-eyelid surgery lets the inner end of the crease connect naturally, and a better-settled result can be expected.

At SM Plastic Surgery, canthoplasty stays within a restrained range, creating a natural result that does not look overdone.

There is no fixed order; which comes first depends on whether the epicanthal fold at the inner corner or the space beside the outer corner is doing more to make the eyes look closed off. When both are needed, they are often performed in one procedure so the proportions of the eye are balanced together. We examine the eye and the facial proportions and explain the plan at consultation.

They are divided by the direction in which the eye is opened. Medial canthoplasty releases the epicanthal fold to open the inner corner, lateral canthoplasty extends the outer corner to lengthen the eye horizontally, and lower canthoplasty lowers the outer part of the lower lid to widen the eye vertically. Which one is needed depends on where the eye still has room to open.

We look at the thickness of the epicanthal fold, the distance between the eyes, the angle of the outer corner, the space beside the eye, and how much of the lower sclera shows. Even for the same concern that the eyes look small, the surgery differs depending on whether the cause lies at the inner corner, the outer corner, or below. We decide the extent only after examining the eye closely.

When the proportions need adjusting at the inner corner, the outer corner and below at the same time, these can be combined in a single procedure. Opening more directions than necessary can make the eyes look overdone, so the combination is kept within a range that suits the face. Whether to combine them is decided at consultation after examining the eye.

Yes. If you are happy with your crease but the inner or outer corner still looks closed off, canthoplasty alone can be performed. In some cases, for example when the epicanthal fold covers the inner end of the crease, adjusting both together gives a more natural result, so the decision follows an examination.

For medial and upward canthoplasty we generally guide a return to daily life around 5 to 7 days, though how quickly swelling and redness settle varies from person to person. In the early recovery period it matters most that the incision is kept from irritation. The exact timing is advised as we follow your progress.

Some eyes simply have little room to open, for instance when there is almost no epicanthal fold, when the eyes already sit close together, or when the skin and conjunctiva at the outer corner have little slack. Forcing the procedure in those cases can leave the eyes looking unnatural, so we do not recommend it. Depending on the findings, we suggest other approaches instead.

We check the shape and thickness of the epicanthal fold, the distance between the eyes, the angle of the outer corner, the slack in the skin and conjunctiva, and how the crease connects at the inner end. We also look at overall facial balance, including nose height and the width between the brows, before planning the direction and extent of the incision. Based on those findings we explain which procedures are needed and whether to combine them.

Canthoplasty opens the eye at the inner corner, the outer corner or below to adjust its size and proportions, while ptosis correction adjusts the strength of the muscle that lifts the lid so the eye opens more clearly. Which one is needed depends on whether the eyes look small because of hidden space or because of weak lifting strength, and sometimes both are required. We advise which is needed after examining the eye.

If a previous canthoplasty has partly closed again through re-adhesion, or a scar remains at the incision, correction can be considered. How much can be improved depends on how far the earlier surgery was taken and on the condition of the remaining tissue. We explain the options after examining the present state in person.