KOKO Plastic Surgery · Eye Surgery
Eye Contour Correction (Ptosis)
From sleepy-looking eyelids to eyes that open clearly
Do your eyes always look sleepy, or take effort to open? Ptosis is when the muscle that lifts the eyelid is weak, so the lid droops and the iris is not fully visible.
Eye contour correction adjusts the lifting strength of the eyelid to open the eye wider. This evens out how much of the iris and the white of the eye shows.
- Surgery time
- Under 1 hour
- Anesthesia
- Sedation or local anesthesia
- Hospital stay
- Not needed
- Stitch removal
- After 4–6 days
- Recovery
- About 1 week
Who it is for
- Your eyes always look sleepy
- You have to strain to open your eyes wide
- Your eyebrows rise when you open your eyelids
- You cannot open your eyes enough to show the whole iris
- Your eyes have been harder to open since an earlier double eyelid surgery
- Your eyelids have drooped with age
What causes ptosis
The muscle that lifts the eyelid (the levator muscle) can lose function and weaken, either from birth or later in life. The eyelid then droops and the iris is not fully visible.
The same symptoms can also appear when an earlier double eyelid surgery has damaged the levator muscle.
Congenital ptosis
The muscle that opens the eye (the levator muscle) is weak from birth, so one or both eyelids cannot lift fully.
Besides making the eyes look small and sleepy, it leads people to strain their forehead muscles to open their eyes. The eyebrows can rise too far and forehead wrinkles can form. Some people also get into the habit of lifting their chin to look straight ahead.
When ptosis affects only one eye, the difference in eye size makes it more noticeable.
How the surgery is done
The levator muscle opens the eye. We shorten its tendon sheet (aponeurosis) by removing part of it or tightening it with sutures. This adjusts how strongly the eyelid lifts.
As the eyelid lifts, the eye opens wider and the balance of iris and white of the eye evens out.
Age-related ptosis
With age, the skin loses elasticity and the eyelids droop. Fat also builds up under the eyes and sags.
Surgery for these changes is divided into two types. Upper eyelid surgery treats the area above the eye, and lower eyelid surgery treats the area below it.
In double eyelid surgery for older patients, the key is to remove the eyelid sagging thoroughly without overdoing it and making the look harsh.
First we check the eyebrow position and how much the eyelid sags. We then either remove skin above or below the eyebrow, or create a natural crease with standard upper eyelid surgery.
Upper and lower eyelid surgery are covered in detail on our Upper Eyelid Lift and Lower Eyelid Wrinkle Correction pages.
Risks and side effects
Results and recovery vary from person to person. The main risks and side effects are:
- Swelling and bruising after surgery or treatment
- Infection or inflammation
- Asymmetry, or a result that differs from what you pictured
- Scarring (when an incision is made)
- Numbness or changes in sensation (often temporary)
If anything concerns you, you can still reach us on WhatsApp after you fly home.
WHY KOKO
Why patients choose KOKO for Eye Contour Correction
- 01
25 years in practice
Since opening in 2001, we have practiced cosmetic surgery in Apgujeong, Seoul, for 25 years.
- 02
Planned around your whole face
KOKO Plastic Surgery opened in 2001 as the first clinic in Apgujeong specializing in nose surgery. Drawing on that experience, we shape the eye area around the balance of your whole face.
- 03
Dr. Cho, from consultation to surgery
Dr. Cho Bae-jung, our representative director and a board-certified plastic surgeon, handles your consultation and performs your surgery himself.
How long to stay
For eye contour correction, plan to stay about a week
Stitches come out 4–6 days after surgery, and you can fly home once they are out. We plan your schedule together at your consultation.
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Day 1
Visit and consultation
Dr. Cho checks how far your eyelids droop and where your eyebrows sit, and decides the method. A medical interpreter joins you.
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Surgery day
Surgery
Under 1 hour with sedation or local anesthesia. No hospital stay.
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Following days
Follow-up checks
Disinfection and swelling checks. You come in from where you are staying.
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Days 4–6
Stitch removal
We remove the stitches and check the incisions. Recovery takes about 1 week.
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Flying home
Surgery certificate
We prepare the documents you need to leave Korea. You can still reach us on WhatsApp after you fly home.
- Medical interpreterA professional medical interpreter joins your consultation and surgery
- Airport transferOne-way or round-trip, depending on your surgery fee
- AccommodationA guesthouse is provided. You can switch to a hotel
- Service details
FAQ
Common questions about Eye Contour Correction
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You may have ptosis if your eyes always look sleepy or you have to strain to open them wide. Another sign is eyebrows that rise when you open your eyelids. Dr. Cho makes an accurate diagnosis at an examination.
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Yes, you are a candidate. Double eyelid surgery can damage the muscle that lifts the eyelid (the levator muscle) and cause the same symptoms as ptosis. When you contact us on WhatsApp, please tell us when and how your previous surgery was done, as far as you know.
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Yes, we also treat ptosis in one eye. When only one side droops, the difference in eye size tends to stand out. Please feel free to contact us.
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That is also treated. We check your eyebrow position and how much the eyelid sags. We then either remove skin above or below the eyebrow, or create a natural crease with upper eyelid surgery.
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Surgery takes under 1 hour, with no hospital stay. Stitches come out after 4–6 days and recovery takes about 1 week, so plan on about a week.
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It depends on your eyelids and whether you combine it with double eyelid surgery or other procedures. Send three photos of your face — front, side and 45° — on WhatsApp (+82 10-9608-0042), and we will give you an estimate. We can also go over it in an online consultation.
How to start
Getting started is easy.
Book a consultation online, or send us your questions on WhatsApp. We will reply in English.
- Book online
Choose a date and time that suits you for your consultation.
- Ask on WhatsApp
A short question is enough to start.
- Photos are optional
Front, side and 45° photos help us give you a more specific cost estimate.
Scan with your phone to open a WhatsApp chat with us (+82 10-9608-0042).