[Eton TV] Types of canthoplasty and side effects

Canthoplasty is

a surgery that adjusts the horizontal or vertical length of the eyes

to make the eye shape look more open.

Usually, when people hear about canthoplasty,

they often wonder whether it is done together

with double eyelid surgery.

It does not have to be done together.

Even if it has nothing to do with double eyelid surgery,

if there is an area that feels constricted

and can be improved through canthoplasty,

it can be performed on its own.

However, the type of canthoplasty that has a good synergy

when done together with double eyelid surgery

is mainly “epicanthoplasty.”

When people talk about canthoplasty,

there were three types:

epicanthoplasty, lateral canthoplasty, and lower canthoplasty.

However, relatively recently,

the concept of “upper canthoplasty” has also been introduced

and is being used.

That said, I personally see upper canthoplasty as a concept

that overlaps considerably with epicanthoplasty

or is included within it, so I do not classify it separately.

For now, you can think of there being

four types.

Epicanthoplasty, which widens the inner corner of the eyes

Lateral canthoplasty, which increases the horizontal length of the eyes

Lower canthoplasty, which expands the lower eye shape

Upper canthoplasty, which adjusts the area about 45 degrees upward from epicanthoplasty

Epicanthoplasty weakens the epicanthal fold

or changes its shape.

It is especially important for people who want an outer-line double eyelid.

If the epicanthal fold is too prominent,

the eyelid may not fold into the desired outer-line shape

because of that fold.

So, only by weakening the epicanthal fold through epicanthoplasty

can the desired outer-line double eyelid shape be created.

Although plastic surgery is relatively safe,

all surgeries can have side effects.

In the case of canthoplasty,

the side effects that can occur differ depending on the specific area.

The most common side effect of epicanthoplasty

is visible scarring.

Also, when epicanthoplasty is done excessively,

too much of the lacrimal caruncle may be exposed.

In Asians,

a lot of visible lacrimal caruncle may not be flattering.

In some cases,

the shape of the hidden lacrimal caruncle itself

has a downward hook-like and unattractive shape,

so when it is exposed, that weakness may become more noticeable.

Lateral canthoplasty

mostly has side effects related to shape.

In my experience, rather than scarring,

a postoperative shape that changes into a ㄷ-like form

can be a side effect,

and

when it is opened too much,

side effects such as excessive visibility of blood vessels

or swelling of the conjunctiva can also occur.

In the case of lower canthoplasty, too,

if it is done excessively,

the outer corner of the eye may appear bent.

Also, when closing the eyes,

there may be a stinging feeling that they do not fully close,

or excessive tearing,

and other side effects may occur.

However, these side effects

are not very common,

and most of them can be sufficiently prevented.

There is no need to be too afraid and exclude surgery altogether.

If needed, good results can be achieved

by adjusting it within an appropriate range.

If canthoplasty is done excessively and side effects occur,

there are ways to restore it.

Although it differs by area,

among the people who come for restoration surgery,

there are quite a few who come because epicanthoplasty was done too much.

Restoration surgery for epicanthoplasty is performed these days

by bringing skin from another area

to restore the epicanthoplasty,

because some skin was excised during the original epicanthoplasty procedure.

Of course, you should know that compared with the first surgery,

it is a little more difficult,

and therefore requires a slightly longer recovery period.

Even if canthoplasty was done excessively,

you do not need to despair.

There is hope in restoration surgery.

But the best thing is,

of course, not having to do restoration in the first place, right?

When planning your first surgery,

it is extremely important to make the decision very carefully.

Thank you.