Lower Canthoplasty - SM Plastic Surgery

Lateral canthoplasty opens the outer corner to widen the eye horizontally; lower canthoplasty lowers the outer line of the lower lid to widen it vertically and reveal the hidden lower sclera. Because they enlarge in different directions they are sometimes combined, and the method that suits is chosen by the eye and the impression you want.

An impression that looked sharp, with the outer corner riding high, can shift toward softer and gentler as the lower line comes down. How far suits varies with the whole face and the balance of the eye area, so adjusting within a restrained range matters. Results vary from person to person.

Lowering the line too far, or weak supporting tissue, can show too much lower sclera or turn the lower lid outward (ectropion). To reduce this, the elasticity and supporting strength of the lower lid are assessed before surgery and the extent of adjustment planned carefully.

The incision follows the outer line of the lower lid, with fine suturing aiming to keep scarring down. Fading takes time, and how well it heals varies with constitution and care.

Yes. Where the whole eye area is adjusted together with double-eyelid surgery or lateral canthoplasty, vertical and horizontal width and the impression of the line are considered together and combined harmoniously. Whether to combine is decided after careful consultation, by the eye and the goal.

Lowering the line further than necessary can leave too much of the lower sclera showing and make the eye look unnatural. For that reason we measure how much lower sclera shows and the angle of the outer corner before surgery, and design the adjustment within that range. During recovery we also check step by step that the exposure has not become excessive.

How much the vertical opening can be widened depends on the supporting tissue and skin elasticity of the lower lid and on how much lower sclera is currently hidden. Where the support is not sufficient the adjustment is designed more conservatively, so the change is smaller. We adjust within what suits the balance of the eye rather than widening as far as possible, and results vary from person to person.

If the lower line is brought down too far, the eye can look droopy and the expression slack. We therefore adjust only as much as suits the overall impression and the balance of the eye. If the eyes look sleepy because of weak lifting strength, the cause may lie elsewhere, so we examine the eye first.

Yes. Where only the vertical dimension needs adjusting, for instance when almost no lower sclera shows and the eye looks small, it is performed on its own. If the horizontal length is also lacking, lateral canthoplasty may be considered as well, so we decide after identifying which direction falls short.

Lower canthoplasty takes about 30 to 40 minutes and is performed under local or sedation anesthesia. Because the adjustment is made while checking the supporting tissue of the lower lid, the time can vary with the condition. The type of anesthesia is decided at consultation together with whether other procedures are combined.

In early recovery it matters that the lower lid is not pulled down or rubbed. Please follow the aftercare we explain while the adjusted lower line settles, and come in to be checked if the lower sclera appears to show more than expected. We review the healing in stages and advise on the care needed.

When the tissue supporting the lower lid and the skin's elasticity are weak, lowering the line can leave too much sclera showing or increase the strain that turns the lid outward. In such cases the adjustment is kept smaller or other approaches are considered alongside it. We assess elasticity and support first, then judge whether the procedure is suitable.

As the adjusted area heals it can revert in part, so the lower line may look slightly higher again. The incision and suturing are designed with that tendency in mind, but how much it reverts varies with tissue condition and constitution. We follow the healing and discuss further adjustment if it is needed.

What matters is less age itself than the condition of the lower lid's supporting tissue and skin elasticity. Where elasticity has declined, lowering the line can add to the strain that causes sagging, so the adjustment is planned conservatively. If the skin under the eye has loosened, another approach may suit better, so we examine the condition first.

We decide by looking together at how high the outer corner sits, how much lower sclera shows, how well the lower lid is supported, and the overall impression of the face. Lowering more is not better; the aim is to adjust only as far as suits the balance of the eye. The extent is designed after confirming the impression you want at consultation.