Eye Corner Surgery (Canthoplasty)

Eye Corner Surgery (Canthoplasty)

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ju-Chan Kim, Medical Director, IBON Plastic Surgery — trained in Plastic Surgery, Dong-A University Hospital; board-certified plastic surgeon.

Eye corner surgery can enhance the appearance of the eyes by adjusting their inner and outer corners to create a more open, balanced eye shape. At IBON Plastic Surgery, the Medical Director personally conducts consultations, develops surgical plans, and performs every procedure.

What Is Eye Corner Surgery (Canthoplasty)?

Eye corner surgeryis a group of procedures designed to adjust the shape and position of the inner or outer corners of the eyes. Depending on the patient's anatomy and aesthetic goals, these procedures may enhance the horizontal or vertical appearance of the eyes. Eye corner surgery can be performed alone or in combination with double eyelid surgery. Selecting the appropriate technique is important for a balanced, natural-looking result while avoiding excessive correction.

At IBON Plastic Surgery, four surgical techniques are available, each targeting a different aspect of the eye's shape:

• Epicanthoplasty (Front Corner / Inner Eye Corner Surgery) — repositions or removes the epicanthic fold at the inner corner, typically producing about 1–3mm of extension depending on individual eye shape and structure
• Upper Corner Surgery (Upper Epicanthoplasty)— repositions the skin covering the upper inner corner of the eye to create a more open appearance and reveal more of the inner double eyelid crease.
• Lateral Canthoplasty (Outer Corner Surgery)— adjusts the lateral canthus and secures the repositioned tissues to the periosteum to increase the visible horizontal length of the eye. The fixation technique is intended to reduce the risk of the outer corner reattaching during healing.
• Lower Corner Surgery — adjusts the lower outer corner of the eye to create a more open appearance. The degree of adjustment is determined by the patient's anatomy and lower eyelid support. The underlying muscle is repositioned together with the skin to help maintain eyelid support and reduce the risk of lower eyelid eversion.

For patients who would benefit from adjustments to more than one area of the eye, Dual Canthoplasty combines two complementary techniques in a single surgical procedure.

• Surgery time: Approximately 30 minutes, depending on the procedure
• Anesthesia: Local anesthesia, with sedation if required
• Suture removal: Usually 5–7 days after surgery
• Return to daily activities: Approximately 7 days, depending on individual recovery

Who Performs Eye Corner Surgery at IBON Plastic Surgery

Dr. Ju-Chan Kim, Medical Director
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Korea

Dr. Ju-Chan Kim, Medical Director of IBON Plastic Surgery, personally conducts consultations, develops individualized surgical plans, and performs every eye corner surgery at the clinic. He completed his training in Plastic Surgery at Dong-A University Hospital and previously served as director at Zenith Plastic Surgery Clinic, Haneul Plastic Surgery Clinic, and The Goun Plastic Surgery Clinic. He is a member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the Korean Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Korean Cleft and Craniofacial Association, and the Korean Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Clinics. Under IBON's single representative director system, his role at consultation is to assess which corner or corners of the eye — inner, upper, outer, or a combination — would meaningfully address the patient's concerns without over-extending the eye shape.

Eye Corner Surgery Options Available

Technique	Area Adjusted	Typical Effect	Key Features
Epicanthoplasty (Inner Corner Surgery)	Inner corner	Creates a more open appearance at the inner corner	Repositions or reduces the epicanthic fold
Upper Corner Surgery	Upper inner corner	Reveals more of the inner double eyelid crease	Repositions the skin covering the upper inner corner
Lateral Canthoplasty (Outer Corner Surgery)	Outer corner	Increases the visible horizontal length of the eye	Periosteal fixation is intended to reduce the risk of reattachment
Lower Corner Surgery	Lower outer corner	Creates a more open appearance by adjusting the lower outer corner	Adjusts the lower eyelid tissues while considering eyelid support
Dual Canthoplasty	Two selected areas	Combines the effects of two complementary techniques	Two techniques performed in a single procedure

A closer look at how these techniques differ in practice:

Epicanthoplasty (Front Corner Trim) incises along the front shape of the eye, undermines the skin, then repositions or removes the epicanthic fold. The degree of extension varies by individual eye shape and structure, but is typically in the 1–3mm range.

Upper Corner Surgery repositions the skin covering the upper inner corner of the eye, helping to create a more open appearance and reveal more of the inner double eyelid crease.

**Lateral Canthoplasty (Outer Corner Surgery)**adjusts the lateral canthus and secures the repositioned tissues to the periosteum to increase the visible horizontal length of the eye. This fixation technique is intended to reduce the risk of reattachment during healing.

Lower Corner Surgeryadjusts the position of the lower outer corner of the eye according to the patient's anatomy and desired eye shape. The underlying muscle is repositioned together with the skin to help maintain eyelid support and reduce the risk of lower eyelid eversion.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Eye Corner Surgery?

• Has an epicanthic fold at the inner corner of the eye
• Has already had double eyelid surgery but feels the change wasn't significant enough
• Has a relatively short horizontal eye length and wishes to achieve a more balanced eye shape
• Has upward-slanting outer eye corners and wishes to achieve a softer eye shape
• Has a prominent epicanthic fold that partially covers the inner corner of the eye

What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline

Stage	What Happens
Consultation	The surgeon assesses the patient's eye shape, anatomy, and aesthetic goals to determine the most appropriate surgical approach.
Anesthesia	Local anesthesia, with sedation if required
Surgery time	Approximately 30 minutes, depending on the procedure
Suture removal	Usually 7 days after surgery
Return to daily activities	Approximately 7 days, depending on individual recovery

Postoperative Care:

After surgery, patients should follow their surgeon's instructions to support healing and recovery.

• Apply cold compresses as instructed to help reduce swelling.

• Sleep with your head elevated and avoid sleeping face-down.

• Avoid rubbing your eyes or applying excessive pressure to the eyelids.

• Avoid alcohol and smoking during the initial healing period.

• Avoid wearing contact lenses for approximately 3 weeks.

• Resume light eye makeup after approximately 2 weeks and false eyelashes after approximately 1 month, if healing is satisfactory.

• Avoid saunas and jjimjilbangs (Korean public bathhouses) for at least 3 weeks.

Recovery varies between individuals. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, and changes in eyelid position. Patients should contact the clinic if they experience unusual pain, worsening swelling, or other concerning symptoms.

Why Choose IBON Plastic Surgery for Eye Corner Surgery (Canthoplasty)

• Experienced Surgeon and Anatomy-Based Surgical Planning: With over 20 years of experience as a physician and more than 10 years focused on eyelid surgery, Dr. Ju-Chan Kim has extensive experience in both primary and revision eyelid procedures. Rather than pursuing excessive changes, he develops individualized surgical plans based on a careful assessment of each patient’s anatomy, aiming for harmonious results and stable surgical outcomes. As the Founder and Medical Director of IBON Plastic Surgery, he personally conducts consultations, performs surgery, and provides postoperative follow-up.
• Individualized Surgical Planning: A range of eye corner surgery techniques is available, allowing the surgical approach to be tailored to each patient's anatomy and aesthetic goals
• **Comprehensive Expertise in Eye Surgery:**The Medical Director's experience in double eyelid surgery and revision procedures allows eye corner surgery to be planned with consideration of the patient's overall eye shape and previous surgical history.
• Realistic goal-setting: the clinic's approach is built around setting achievable expectations for the degree of eye-corner adjustment achievable, rather than promising a specific outcome
• Use of genuine products and materials: part of the clinic's broader patient-safety commitment, applied consistently across its surgical procedures

Ready to Discuss Your Eye Corner Surgery Options?

Whether you are considering inner corner surgery, outer corner surgery, or a combination of techniques, the appropriate approach begins with a careful assessment of your individual eye shape and anatomy.

At IBON Plastic Surgery, the Medical Director personally conducts consultations and performs every procedure, providing an individualized surgical plan tailored to your aesthetic goals.

Primary CTA: Schedule a Consultation

Secondary option: Contact the IBON Plastic Surgery care team directly to arrange your initial consultation and discuss which combination of eye corner techniques may suit your eye shape and goals.