Canthoplasty (eye-corner surgery)

Epicanthoplasty (inner corner) · Lateral canthoplasty (outer corner)

Recovery: 7–14days
Pain: Moderate
Time: 30–180 min
Sessions: 1 session
Type: Surgery

What it is

Surgery on the corners of the eye. Epicanthoplasty releases the fold at the inner corner (the epicanthal fold, common in East Asian eyelids). Cosmetic lateral canthoplasty extends the outer corner to lengthen the eye opening and reduce upward slant. Surgeons often discuss it together with double eyelid surgery.

Who it’s for

Adults with a prominent inner fold, or who want a longer eye opening, and who have realistic expectations.

How it’s done

Under local or general anesthesia, a small incision or skin flap is made at the eye corner. Tissue is released or repositioned and closed with fine stitches.

Why we don’t list a price

We only show prices we can check in official public statistics, and we couldn’t find one for this treatment.
Prices vary widely by clinic, area treated, product and amount.
At the consultation, get the total price, the product and amount (mL or units) and the number of sessions in writing.

What to get in writing

Recovery

Expect discomfort, swelling and bruising for the first couple of weeks. Many people rest about a week before returning to work or school, and full recovery takes 2–4 weeks. Incision lines stay visible for 2–3 months before fading.

Risks and side effects

Visible scarring at the eye corner (a known drawback of older inner-corner techniques)
Under-correction, recurrence, or the corner reattaching
Dry eyes or difficulty closing the eyes
Bleeding, infection or pain
Unfavorable outer-corner shape: a 2016 review notes complications after cosmetic lateral canthoplasty are not uncommon

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Questions to ask the clinic

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Inner corner, outer corner or both, and how much change is realistic for me?
Where will the scar be, and how visible might it be?
How likely is the corner to reattach, and what is your revision policy?
Will it be combined with double eyelid surgery?
Will I have local or general anesthesia?

Aftercare

Do not rub your eyes
Keep water, soap and skincare products off the incisions until healed
Avoid pools and saunas for three weeks
Sleep with your head raised, and use ice in 15-minute intervals for swelling
Avoid strenuous exercise for a few weeks

Questions people ask

What is the difference between epicanthoplasty and lateral canthoplasty?

Epicanthoplasty works on the inner corner near the nose. Lateral canthoplasty works on the outer corner near the ear.

Will there be a scar?

Yes. Incision lines are visible for two to three months and then fade. Newer inner-corner techniques use shorter incisions to reduce visible scarring.

How long is recovery?

Cleveland Clinic says two to four weeks for complete recovery, with about a week of rest before returning to work or school.

Sources

Facts on this page come from medical societies, public agencies and medical journals.

Information checked October 19, 2026

This is general information, not medical advice, and we don’t refer you to any clinic. We don’t list clinic names, reviews or rankings. Unnie Note is an independent publication with no ties to any clinic or booking service.

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