What Should You Be Careful About When Restoring an Epicanthoplasty?

As the preference for epicanthoplasty has increased, interest has also grown in repeat epicanthoplasty and restoration procedures caused by indiscriminate surgery.

Restoration literally means “to return something to its original state.” Therefore, repeat epicanthoplasty should be performed differently depending on the degree of lacrimal caruncle exposure and the shape of the inner eye corner. For example, in cases where △ the lacrimal caruncle is excessively exposed △ the distance between the eyes has become narrower after epicanthoplasty △ the balance between the inner corners of both eyes is uneven △ the inner corner bends downward △ an epicanthoplasty scar remains, restoration can be used to reduce lacrimal caruncle exposure, return a hook-shaped inner corner to a straight line, and improve scarring.

On the other hand, if the epicanthoplasty had no effect despite being performed, it is appropriate to proceed with “repeat epicanthoplasty.” If you are satisfied with the degree of opening and the amount of lacrimal caruncle exposure, but there is also a sunken scar at the inner eye corner, improvement may be possible through repeat epicanthoplasty.

When restoring the inner corner of the eye, there is often not much excess tissue available. Therefore, it is important to determine whether there is enough skin available for restoration. In addition, it should be kept in mind that the procedure may also affect changes in the front part of the double eyelid line.

Seo Chi-hyeop, director of WINK Plastic Surgery Clinic, said, “After epicanthoplasty restoration, some improvement may be seen in the epicanthoplasty scar, but the scar itself is not completely resolved,” and emphasized, “Rather than simply returning to the state before surgery, the focus should be on refining the eye shape again naturally. The goal of surgery is to hide the scar from the previous opening and restore a natural Mongolian fold by closing the overexposed inner part of the eye.”

He added, “Clearly identifying the problems with the surgery and then undergoing the procedure at a hospital that specializes in revision eye surgery after 6 months to 1 year, when the skin and tissue have healed to some extent, can help increase satisfaction.”

Above all, what is most important when having epicanthoplasty for the first time is not thinking about opening the eyes as much as possible, but considering one’s skin characteristics, the harmony with one’s existing eye line, the shape of the Mongolian fold, and the shape and degree of exposure of the lacrimal caruncle. After 충분ly consulting with medical staff who have extensive experience in revision eye surgery, a restoration surgery plan should be established before treatment begins.

Reporter Jeong Hee-won happy1@segye.com