6. Canthoplasty (Eye Opening Surgery)

Hello.

I am Dr. Young-moon Yoo, a board-certified plastic surgeon.

In addition to #DoubleEyelidSurgery,

many people are very interested in canthoplasty (eye opening surgery), aren’t they?

There is #Epicanthoplasty, which releases the Mongolian fold and opens the inner corner for a refreshing look.

There are #LateralCanthoplasty and #LateralLowerCanthoplasty, which address the closed-off feeling when the outer corners are too high.

And #LowerCanthoplasty, which lowers the eye line to create a gentler and softer impression.

Let’s take a look at each one.

1. Epicanthoplasty

The term ‘Mongolian fold’ itself originates from a characteristic finding found in Mongoloid people.

In reality, Westerners often have eyes that are wide open with almost no Mongolian fold.

By opening this blocked area,

we can resolve the stuffy appearance,

fix the look of eyes being too far apart,

and create an in-out or out-line crease.

2. Lateral / Lateral-Lower Canthoplasty (Mango Canthoplasty)

Generally, the outer corners of Asians’ eyes are higher than those of Westerners.

Of course, this eye shape is also very attractive and beautiful,

but if the degree is severe, it can give a fierce impression,

and the blocked outer corners can make the eyes look stuffy.

The surgical method that lowers these outer corners while extending them longer is called ‘Lateral-Lower Canthoplasty’.

In the past, the main method was to perform only lateral canthoplasty to extend the horizontal length of the eye,

but there were many cases where the effect was minimal because it would ‘stick back together’.

Therefore, currently, by lowering the raised outer corner simultaneously with the lateral opening, a more definitive canthoplasty effect can be achieved.

Even in the lateral-lower method, if only simple incision and suturing are performed, the effect is negligible.

The lower tarsal plate must be firmly fixed to the ‘inner wall of the lateral orbital bone’ to ensure a clear opening effect, less recurrence, and less visible scarring (red inner flesh).

3. Lower Canthoplasty

The ideal slope of the eye is when

‘the lateral canthus is positioned about 2-3mm higher than the medial canthus’

and forms a ‘gentle S-shape’.

Therefore, through lower canthoplasty,

we can lower the blocked lower eyelid

to create a kind and soft impression.

After surgery, entropion (rolling inward),

eyelash irritation,

or a ‘kinked’ appearance may occur,

but these are usually common temporary phenomena

and will soon return to normal.

Today, we looked into #Canthoplasty.

Was this helpful in answering your questions? ^^

Next time, I will talk about surgical methods for sagging eyes (senile upper blepharoplasty).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the effects of epicanthoplasty (front canthoplasty)?

Yes, it helps to open up the stuffy eye shape by releasing the Mongolian fold. It can resolve the appearance of widely spaced eyes and helps create an in-out or out-line when performing double eyelid surgery.

Is it true that previous lateral canthoplasty (back canthoplasty) often reattaches?

Yes, in the past, lateral canthoplasty methods that simply involved incision and suturing often reattached, leading to reduced effectiveness. Recently, lateral canthoplasty and lower canthoplasty are performed simultaneously to compensate for these drawbacks.

How can I prevent recurrence after lateral and lower canthoplasty?

The lower eyelid plate must be firmly fixed to the outer orbital bone's inner wall. Applying this method of firm fixation to the periosteum ensures a clear canthoplasty effect, reduces the recurrence rate of reattachment, and makes scars less visible.

Can side effects such as eyelashes poking the eye occur after lower canthoplasty?

Yes, temporary entropion (inward rolling), eyelash poking, or kinking can occur after surgery. However, these are common phenomena that occur during the recovery process and usually return to normal naturally over time.