Medial, Lateral & Lower Canthoplasty | IK Plastic Surgery
EYE CONTOURINGCanthoplasty Procedures
MEDIAL EPICANTHOPLASTY

Medial Epicanthoplasty Natural inner-corner refinement tailored to your anatomy

Medial epicanthoplasty reshapes the epicanthal fold that covers the inner corner of the eye, helping the eyes appear more open, balanced, and refined.

Treatment Area Inner corners
Suture Removal Approximately 7 days
Recovery Swelling & bruising: 1–2 weeks
Medial Epicanthoplasty Before & After
BEFORE Medial epicanthoplasty before surgery
AFTER Medial epicanthoplasty after surgery

A conservative correction planned around the epicanthal fold and inner-corner anatomy, without excessive exposure.

ABOUT THE PROCEDURE

What Is Medial Epicanthoplasty?

The skin fold covering the inner corner of the eye is called the epicanthal fold. When it is prominent, the eyes may appear farther apart and the inner corners can look rounded or closed off.

01

Epicanthal Fold Assessment

We assess not only the distance between the eyes, but also skin thickness and the direction of the inner corners.

02

Degree of Exposure

The degree of correction is planned to suit the existing anatomy while avoiding excessive exposure of the lacrimal caruncle.

03

Incision & Scar Placement

The incision is designed with skin tension and fold direction in mind so that the scar can settle as naturally as possible.

04

Overall Eye Balance

The double eyelid crease, outer corner direction, and side-to-side differences are considered to create overall balance.

SURGICAL PROCESS

Medial Epicanthoplasty Procedure

After evaluating the skin fold and underlying anatomy of the inner corner, only the necessary amount is adjusted and closed with fine sutures.

Before medial epicanthoplasty STEP 01

Preoperative Assessment

The direction of the epicanthal fold, inner-corner exposure, and distance between the eyes are assessed.

Medial epicanthoplasty surgical diagram STEP 02

Epicanthal Fold Repositioning

A limited incision is made, and the skin and soft tissue are repositioned in a natural direction.

Suture placement after medial epicanthoplasty STEP 03

Fine Suturing

The incision is closed with fine sutures, which are typically removed after approximately 7 days.

After medial epicanthoplasty STEP 04

Expected Change

This helps open the inner corners and creates a smoother, more balanced eye shape.

INDICATIONS

Who May Benefit

Suitability is determined by the shape of the inner corners, available skin, and existing exposure of the lacrimal caruncle.

01

A prominent epicanthal fold covering the inner corners

02

Eyes that appear farther apart than they are

03

Rounded or closed-looking inner corners

04

A double eyelid crease that does not connect smoothly at the inner corner

Why Conservative Correction Matters

Overcorrection may expose too much of the lacrimal caruncle or make the inner corners appear unnaturally sharp. The goal should be an anatomically appropriate correction rather than simply reducing the distance between the eyes.

SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Key Surgical Considerations

01

Inner-Corner Direction

The direction of correction—horizontal, vertical, or a combination—is determined by the existing shape of the epicanthal fold.

02

Lacrimal Caruncle Exposure

The surgical range is adjusted to avoid excessive exposure of the reddish lacrimal caruncle.

03

Asymmetry

Because the epicanthal fold and inner-corner shape may differ between the two eyes, each side is designed individually.

04

Previous Surgery

If there is scarring or adhesion from previous medial epicanthoplasty, a different surgical approach may be required.

BEFORE & AFTER

Medial Epicanthoplasty Before & After

Each case was planned according to the epicanthal fold and the overall balance of the eyes.

CASE 01
BEFORE Medial epicanthoplasty case 1 before surgery
AFTER Medial epicanthoplasty case 1 after surgery

The epicanthal fold was adjusted to reveal the inner corners more naturally.

CASE 02
BEFORE Medial epicanthoplasty case 2 before surgery
AFTER Medial epicanthoplasty case 2 after surgery

The inner corner was refined to create a smoother transition into the double eyelid crease.

CASE 03
BEFORE Medial epicanthoplasty case 3 before surgery
AFTER Medial epicanthoplasty case 3 after surgery

The inner corners were opened conservatively to create a softer, more balanced eye shape.

CASE 04
BEFORE Medial epicanthoplasty case 4 before surgery
AFTER Medial epicanthoplasty case 4 after surgery

The amount of inner-corner exposure was adjusted according to the direction of the epicanthal fold.

CASE 05
BEFORE Medial epicanthoplasty case 5 before surgery
AFTER Medial epicanthoplasty case 5 after surgery

The correction was planned with both the inter-eye proportion and double eyelid crease in mind.

CASE 06
BEFORE Medial epicanthoplasty case 6 before surgery
AFTER Medial epicanthoplasty case 6 after surgery

The inner corners were refined without excessive exposure.

RECOVERY

Recovery Timeline

Swelling and bruising vary by patient and may be more noticeable on days 2–3 than immediately after surgery.

Day of Surgery Sutures remain at the incision site, and swelling or redness may be present.
Days 2–3 Swelling and bruising are often most noticeable during this period.
Around Day 7 Sutures are removed after a follow-up assessment.
Weeks 1–2 Most visible swelling and bruising gradually improve, making daily activities more comfortable.
Months 1–3 Redness and firmness around the incision gradually soften and fade.

Suture-removal timing and recovery may vary depending on the extent of surgery and individual skin condition. Avoid rubbing or irritating the surgical area.

FAQ

Medial Epicanthoplasty FAQ

Will medial epicanthoplasty make my eyes look too close together?

Medial epicanthoplasty is not simply intended to reduce the distance between the eyes. The amount of correction is planned according to the epicanthal fold and the degree of lacrimal caruncle exposure, with the goal of creating a natural-looking inner corner.

Will the scar completely disappear?

Because the procedure involves an incision, a scar cannot be completely avoided. The area may initially appear red or feel firm, but it generally softens and fades gradually over time.

Can it be combined with double eyelid surgery?

Yes. It is often performed together with double eyelid surgery to improve the connection of the crease at the inner corner and achieve better overall balance.

Is revision medial epicanthoplasty possible?

Depending on the existing scar, available skin, and degree of lacrimal caruncle exposure, further medial epicanthoplasty or epicanthoplasty restoration may be considered.

DUAL CANTHOPLASTY

Dual Canthoplasty Lower · Lateral Canthoplasty

Dual canthoplasty combines lateral and lower canthoplasty to increase the horizontal dimension of the outer eye and adjust the downward direction of the outer lower eyelid. The surgical plan is customized according to each patient’s anatomy and desired degree of change.

Lateral Canthoplasty Lower Canthoplasty Outer-Corner Adjustment
BEFORE Before dual canthoplasty
AFTER After dual canthoplasty
DUAL CANTHOPLASTY OVERVIEW

What We Evaluate

The available space beyond the outer corner, degree of eye prominence, lower-eyelid tension, and existing eye shape are evaluated to determine a safe and achievable surgical plan.

Horizontal Length

We evaluate the available outer-corner space and lateral canthal anatomy.

Outer-Corner Direction

We assess the height of the outer corner together with the position of the lower eyelid.

Degree of Correction

We tailor the plan toward either a subtle or more defined change.

SURGICAL METHOD

Dual Canthoplasty Procedure

Lateral canthoplasty creates additional space at the outer corner, while lower canthoplasty adjusts the direction of the outer lower eyelid. The fixation point and degree of correction vary according to individual anatomy.

Before dual canthoplasty
Before Surgery
Dual canthoplasty surgical diagram 1
Lateral Canthoplasty Design
Dual canthoplasty surgical diagram 2
Lower Canthoplasty Fixation
After natural dual canthoplasty
Subtle Correction
After defined dual canthoplasty
More Defined Correction
A subtle or more defined result is not determined by fixation strength alone. The achievable range depends on the position of the eye and orbital bone, available outer-corner tissue, and lower-eyelid tension.
DESIGN DIRECTION

Customized Design Options

Natural Dual Canthoplasty

Designed to relieve a closed-off outer corner and soften a mildly upturned appearance without dramatically changing the patient’s natural eye shape.

Defined Dual Canthoplasty

Designed to create a more noticeable increase in horizontal length and downward adjustment, within anatomically safe limits.

DUAL CANTHOPLASTY CASES

Dual Canthoplasty Before & After

The surgical range is customized for each case based on outer-corner direction, available lateral space, and overall eye balance.

BEFORE Dual canthoplasty case 1 before surgery
AFTER Dual canthoplasty case 1 after surgery
CASE 01

Natural Outer-Corner Widening

The outer-corner space and downward direction were adjusted together.

BEFORE Dual canthoplasty case 2 before surgery
AFTER Dual canthoplasty case 2 after surgery
CASE 02

Softening an Upturned Outer Corner

The outer-corner height and lateral lower eyelid were addressed together.

BEFORE Dual canthoplasty case 3 before surgery
AFTER Dual canthoplasty case 3 after surgery
CASE 03

Opening a Closed-Off Outer Corner

The horizontal eye length and lower-lateral space were adjusted.

BEFORE Dual canthoplasty case 4 before surgery
AFTER Dual canthoplasty case 4 after surgery
CASE 04

Outer-Corner Adjustment

The degree of dual canthoplasty was tailored to complement the existing eye shape.

BEFORE Dual canthoplasty case 5 before surgery
AFTER Dual canthoplasty case 5 after surgery
CASE 05

Softer Eye Contour

The outer length and corner direction were refined naturally.

BEFORE Dual canthoplasty case 6 before surgery
AFTER Dual canthoplasty case 6 after surgery
CASE 06

Horizontal & Downward Outer-Corner Refinement

The lateral and lower canthoplasty directions were adjusted together.

BEFORE Dual canthoplasty case 7 before surgery
AFTER Dual canthoplasty case 7 after surgery
CASE 07

Improved Outer-Eye Balance

Surgery was planned to balance the outer corner and lower eyelid.

BEFORE SURGERY

Important Considerations Before Surgery

The degree of improvement depends on the actual space at the outer corner and tissue elasticity. Desired results must be considered together with the anatomically achievable range.

Achievable Range

If there is limited space between the eyeball and the outer orbital rim, the amount of achievable widening may be limited.

Possibility of Re-adhesion

Some tissue may re-adhere during healing, causing the initial degree of opening to decrease.

Risks of Overcorrection

Excessive downward fixation may cause conjunctival exposure or eyelid pulling, so maintaining an appropriate degree of correction is important.

Results and recovery may vary depending on individual eye anatomy, tissue condition, and healing response.
ACCESS

How to Find IK Plastic Surgery Clinic

IK Plastic Surgery Clinic is located in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul.
We are conveniently accessible from both Sinnonhyeon Station and Gangnam Station.

ADDRESS

Yuhwa Building 5F
439 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu
Seoul, Korea

IK Plastic Surgery Clinic
5F, Yuhwa Building, 439 Gangnam-daero,
Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea
The clinic is located on the 5th floor of the building with the Descente store on the 1st floor.
SUBWAY

Sinnonhyeon Station
About a 2-minute walk from Exit 7 or 8

About a 3-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 10.
CLINIC HOURS

+82-2-6241-2929

Mon–Fri: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
No lunch break
English consultation support is available
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