Medial vs Lateral Canthoplasty
Medial vs Lateral Canthoplasty
Medial and lateral canthoplasty are eye corner surgeries that enhance the appearance of the eyes by modifying different corners of the eyelids. Medial canthoplasty reshapes the inner corner of the eye to reduce the epicanthal fold and reveal more of the inner eye, while lateral canthoplasty extends and reshapes the outer corner to increase the horizontal length of the eyes. The best procedure depends on whether the goal is opening the inner corner, lengthening the outer corner, or improving overall eye balance.
Treatment Focus
Medial Canthoplasty
- Opens the inner corner of the eyes
- Reduces the epicanthal fold
- Reveals more of the inner eye
- Creates greater separation between the eyes
- Enhances the appearance of the inner eye contour
Lateral Canthoplasty
- Extends the outer corner of the eyes
- Increases horizontal eye length
- Creates a longer eye shape
- Improves outer eye definition
- Enhances overall eye proportions
How They Work
Medial Canthoplasty
- Removes or reshapes the epicanthal fold
- Repositions the skin around the inner corner
- Exposes the natural inner canthus
- Creates a more open inner eye appearance
Lateral Canthoplasty
- Releases the tissues at the outer corner
- Repositions the lateral canthus
- Extends the horizontal eye opening
- Maintains support for a natural eye shape
Ideal Candidates
Medial Canthoplasty
- Prominent epicanthal folds
- Short distance between the inner eye and nose bridge
- Hidden inner eye corners
- Desire for larger-looking eyes
- Patients seeking better eye symmetry
Lateral Canthoplasty
- Short horizontal eye length
- Narrow or closed-looking eyes
- Drooping outer eye corners
- Desire for elongated eye shape
- Patients wanting a wider eye appearance
Aesthetic Results
Medial Canthoplasty Results
- More visible inner eye corners
- Larger-looking eyes
- Better eye symmetry
- Reduced appearance of the epicanthal fold
- Brighter eye appearance
Lateral Canthoplasty Results
- Longer-looking eyes
- More defined outer eye contour
- Wider horizontal eye shape
- Improved facial balance
- Softer and more elegant eye appearance
Medial canthoplasty primarily enlarges the inner eye, while lateral canthoplasty lengthens the outer eye.
Recovery and Downtime
Medial Canthoplasty
- Swelling and bruising for 1–2 weeks
- Small scar near the inner corner that gradually fades
- Final results develop over several months
Lateral Canthoplasty
- Swelling and bruising for 1–2 weeks
- Temporary tightness at the outer corner
- Final eye shape settles gradually during healing
Recovery is similar for both procedures, although healing varies depending on surgical technique and whether additional eye surgery is performed.
Cost Comparison (Average Range in KRW)
Medial Canthoplasty
- ₩800,000 – ₩2,500,000+
Lateral Canthoplasty
- ₩1,000,000 – ₩3,000,000+
The total cost depends on the complexity of the procedure and whether it is combined with double eyelid surgery, ptosis correction, or other eye surgeries.
Benefits of Each Procedure
Benefits of Medial Canthoplasty
- Reduces the epicanthal fold
- Creates larger-looking eyes
- Improves eye symmetry
- Reveals the natural inner eye contour
- Can enhance double eyelid surgery results
Benefits of Lateral Canthoplasty
- Creates a longer eye shape
- Increases horizontal eye width
- Improves outer eye definition
- Produces a more balanced facial appearance
- Can be combined with lower canthoplasty for additional refinement
Which Is Better?
Medial canthoplasty may be better if you:
- Have prominent epicanthal folds
- Want to reveal more of the inner eye
- Feel your eyes appear close-set due to skin folds
- Want a brighter and more open eye appearance
- Are combining the procedure with double eyelid surgery
Lateral canthoplasty may be better if you:
- Have short or narrow-looking eyes
- Want a longer horizontal eye shape
- Have drooping outer eye corners
- Want a wider eye appearance
- Are seeking greater outer eye definition
Final thoughts
Medial and lateral canthoplasty improve different parts of the eye and are often selected based on each patient's anatomy and aesthetic goals. Medial canthoplasty is most effective for reducing the epicanthal fold and opening the inner corner, while lateral canthoplasty extends the outer corner to create a longer and more balanced eye shape. In Korean eye surgery, the two procedures are frequently combined to achieve larger, naturally proportioned eyes while maintaining facial harmony.
