KOKO Plastic Surgery · Eye Surgery
Epicanthoplasty + Lateral Canthoplasty
Opening the inner and outer corners for larger-looking eyes
Epicanthoplasty with magic lateral canthoplasty opens up the inner and outer corners of the eyes to make them look larger.
Epicanthoplasty removes the epicanthal fold over the inner corner and widens the inner side of the eye. Lateral canthoplasty widens the outer side. Both can be combined with double eyelid surgery.
- Surgery time
- About 30 minutes
- Anesthesia
- Sedation or local anesthesia
- Hospital stay
- Not needed
- Stitch removal
- After 4–6 days
- Recovery
- About 3 days
What is epicanthoplasty?
Epicanthoplasty is also called epicanthal fold correction. The epicanthal fold is a fold of skin that covers the inner corner of the eye. About 60% of Koreans are said to be born with one.
When this fold covers the inner corner, the eyes can look set far apart, or small and heavy.
Epicanthoplasty removes the fold and reveals the few millimeters of inner corner it was hiding. This makes the eyes look clearer and larger from the inside.
Combined with double eyelid surgery, it makes the eyes look longer and evens out the space between them. This can give a more attractive eye area. Epicanthoplasty is recommended if:
- Your eyes look set far apart
- A large epicanthal fold covers your inner corners
- Your eyes look small and heavy
What is lateral canthoplasty?
Also called outer canthus correction, lateral canthoplasty widens the outer corner of the eye (the lateral canthus) to make the eye look longer.
The incision is made in the mucous membrane at the outer corner, so the scar tends to be hard to see. The corner is extended by only about 2–3 mm, but even this much can change how your eyes look.
The effect is smaller if your eyes are deep-set. With double eyelid surgery added, though, it can give a cleaner, more open eye area. Lateral canthoplasty is for people who:
- Do not have deep-set (sunken) eyes
- Have short eyes that do not look clearly defined
- Have upturned eyes that look sharp
- Have downturned eyes
What is magic lateral canthoplasty?
Besides opening the outer corner, it also lowers the lines on the inner and outer parts of the eye. This boosts the effect of lateral canthoplasty and makes the eyes look larger.
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.
Pros and cons
Epicanthoplasty and lateral canthoplasty: pros and cons
What each procedure can do, and what to keep in mind.
Epicanthoplasty
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Pros
It widens small eyes that look set far apart, for a cleaner eye area.
If your eyes look sharp, it brings the inner corner closer to horizontal for a softer look.
The scar is hidden by the lower lashes, so it is hard to see and rarely a problem in daily life.
Swelling is relatively mild, and the stitches come out on day 4 or 5.
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Cons
If a large incision is made at the inner corner, a scar may remain in some people.
Lateral canthoplasty
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Pros
The widened area is less likely to reattach.
The whole eye can be expected to look about 1–2 mm larger.
It eases the impression that the eyes sit too close toward the nose.
The eyes look longer, for a cleaner eye area.
Combined with double eyelid surgery or epicanthoplasty, the change in eye shape is greater.
It can make upturned outer corners look slightly lower, for a softer look.
-
Cons
The change in eye size is smaller than with epicanthoplasty.
When the skin is incised, a faint scar may show depending on the method, so the surgery calls for careful technique.
WHY KOKO
Why patients choose KOKO for Epicanthoplasty & Lateral Canthoplasty
- 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 design the eye area around the space between your eyes and 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 inner and outer corner surgery, plan to stay about a week
Stitches come out 4–6 days after surgery, and you can fly home once they are out. If you combine it with double eyelid surgery, we plan your schedule together at your consultation.
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Day 1
Visit and consultation
Dr. Cho checks your epicanthal folds and eye width, and decides which corners to open. A medical interpreter joins you.
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Surgery day
Surgery
About 30 minutes under sedation or local anesthesia. No hospital stay.
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Following days
Follow-up checks
Disinfection and swelling checks. Recovery takes about 3 days, and 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.
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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 Epicanthoplasty & Lateral Canthoplasty
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Epicanthoplasty removes the epicanthal fold over the inner corner and widens the inner side of the eye. Lateral canthoplasty widens the outer side to make the eye look longer. Epicanthoplasty makes the bigger difference to eye size.
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Besides opening the outer corner, it also lowers the lines on the inner and outer parts of the eye. This boosts the effect of lateral canthoplasty and makes the eyes look larger.
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The epicanthoplasty scar sits where the lower lashes hide it, so it is hard to see. With a large incision, though, a scar may remain in some people. Lateral canthoplasty is done through the mucous membrane, but methods that cut the skin may leave a faint visible scar.
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Yes. Combining epicanthoplasty or lateral canthoplasty with double eyelid surgery makes the eyes look longer and can give a cleaner eye area.
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Surgery takes about 30 minutes, with no hospital stay. Recovery takes about 3 days and stitches come out after 4–6 days, so plan on about a week.
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It depends on how much is done 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).