This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Service Act.
Three key points you can confirm in this article
✓ Why a fierce expression caused by raised outer eye corners can be corrected with posterior and inferior canthoplasty
✓ The principle differences between the two surgeries and synergy points when combined
✓ What to confirm before deciding on the surgical direction that suits your outer eye corner condition
Can Raised Outer Eye Corners at Apgujeong Really Be Changed with Posterior and Inferior Canthoplasty?
When the outer eye corner is raised upward, it often appears sharp or fierce regardless of the actual eye size. The surgeries that people with this concern focus on are posterior canthoplasty and inferior canthoplasty.
According to a column by a plastic surgery specialist at Hidoc, posterior canthoplasty involves incising the outer side of the eye corner (lateral canthus) to extend the horizontal length of the eye, while inferior canthoplasty lowers the line below the eye corner to secure vertical width. Since these two surgeries correct in different directions, combining them is known to provide the effect of simultaneously expanding both horizontal and vertical dimensions.
However, the applicable scope and expected effects vary depending on eye structure, skin texture, and degree of eye prominence. Whether to perform one surgery alone or plan both together should be decided after precise diagnosis for safety.
How Do Posterior and Inferior Canthoplasty Lower the Outer Eye Corner?
Although the names sound similar, these two surgeries differ in the direction and method of correcting the outer eye corner. Compare them in the table below.
Category | Posterior Canthoplasty | Inferior Canthoplasty |
|---|---|---|
Correction Direction | Horizontal (extending outer eye corner) | Vertical (lowering the line below the outer eye corner) |
Surgical Method | Incision at lateral canthus and extension of eye corner space | Traction of the outer 1/3 of lower eyelid downward |
Primary Effect | Effect of making eyes appear longer | Securing vertical width at the outer eye corner area |
Single Application | When horizontal length is insufficient | When eye vertical width is narrow and expression appears strong |
Combined Application | Synergy effect when simultaneous horizontal and vertical correction is needed |
A column by a plastic surgery specialist at Hidoc explains that an effect of lowered outer eye corners can be expected to some degree with posterior canthoplasty alone; however, the necessity of each procedure should be determined after precisely confirming the outer eye corner angle, horizontal length, and eye structure.
One important consideration is that over-correction in inferior canthoplasty can result in excessive white showing below the iris (sanpaku eye) or ectropion (lower eyelid turning outward), as noted in clinical data. Therefore, inferior canthoplasty must be preceded by a process of evaluating lower eyelid support in advance.
How Sheone Plastic surgery Approaches Posterior and Inferior Canthoplasty
Since posterior canthoplasty is delicate surgery involving the eye corner area, performing it without sufficient pre-evaluation can lead to complications. According to a column by a plastic surgery specialist at Hidoc, representative complications after posterior canthoplasty include "ㄷ"-shaped deformity, mucosal exposure, and scarring, which often occur when complex factors such as outer eye corner angle, eye prominence degree, and skin texture are not carefully evaluated before surgery.
In particular, when complications occur afterward, a staged approach performing canthus restoration surgery (reconstruction) first to stabilize tissues is recommended over immediate revision surgery. A column by Hidoc experts recommends allowing at least 6 months or more of tissue stabilization time before deciding on revision surgery.
Sheone Plastic surgery, which focuses exclusively on eye plastic surgery, examines the surgical planning for posterior and inferior canthoplasty through to canthus restoration approaches for contingencies as a single flow. From the pre-surgical stage, we comprehensively confirm the outer eye corner angle, degree of eye prominence, and skin texture, and with experience in canthus restoration, we review the appropriate surgical scope for each individual through our consultation system.
The main evaluation items conducted before surgery are as follows:
✓ Measurement of outer eye corner angle (confirming degree of elevation)
✓ Analysis of eye horizontal length (determining posterior canthoplasty application range)
✓ Evaluation of eye prominence (confirming exposure possibility after surgery)
✓ Understanding of skin texture and elasticity (evaluating scar and recurrence risk)
✓ Confirmation of lower eyelid support (pre-checking over-correction risk in inferior canthoplasty)
✓ Pre-examination of canthus restoration necessity (when there is previous surgery history)
Confirming Your Outer Eye Corner Condition Before Posterior and Inferior Canthoplasty
Confirming your outer eye corner condition before considering surgery helps you discuss more specific directions during consultation. Check if any of the following items apply to you.
✓ When viewed from the front, the outer eye corner is noticeably positioned higher than the inner eye corner
✓ You frequently hear that you look fierce or have a sharp expression
✓ The horizontal length of your eyes is short, giving a stuffy feeling
✓ White shows below the outer eye corner noticeably (already has sanpaku eye tendency)
✓ Your eyeball is relatively prominent forward
✓ You have a history of previous posterior canthoplasty surgery
According to clinical data, in inferior canthoplasty, when over-correction occurs in eyes with weak lower eyelid support, sanpaku eye or ectropion can develop, making pre-evaluation essential. Additionally, as guided in Hidoc expert columns, tissue stabilization after surgery requires at least 6 months or more, so planning with sufficient consideration of this period is necessary.
Whether both posterior and inferior canthoplasty are needed, or whether correction with just one is sufficient, can only be accurately determined through in-person examination. Having reviewed the above items, those seeking Gangnam posterior canthoplasty and inferior canthoplasty, Cheongdam outer eye corner correction, or Sinsa canthus plastic surgery can also conveniently visit for consultation.
If You're Concerned About Your Outer Eye Corner, You Can Check First Through a Consultation
At Apgujeong Sheone Plastic surgery, which specializes solely in eye plastic surgery, we examine the eye corner structure and your overall expression, and invite you to consult comfortably so we can find the direction suited to you.
Outer eye corner concerns may feel vague, but different surgical methods produce different results, scar locations, and applicable ranges. A column by plastic surgery specialists at Hidoc also emphasizes the importance of deciding on a surgical direction after sufficient consultation with experienced medical professionals. Whether to perform posterior and inferior canthoplasty individually, plan them together, or whether canthus restoration is needed first — if you have concerns related to the outer eye corner, we recommend confirming the direction suited to your eyes first through consultation.
Posterior and Inferior Canthoplasty, Outer Eye Corner Correction — Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do posterior and inferior canthoplasty always have to be done together?
They don't necessarily have to be performed together. If the outer eye corner angle is the primary concern, posterior canthoplasty alone may provide improvement effects, and if vertical direction correction is needed, inferior canthoplasty may be more appropriate. It is desirable to decide whether to perform one alone or in combination after comprehensively reviewing the eye's horizontal length, outer eye corner angle, and eye structure.
Q2. I hear that if posterior canthoplasty goes wrong, it becomes "ㄷ"-shaped. How is this prevented?
"ㄷ"-shaped deformity can occur when eye corner tissues are not properly fixed or excessive incision is made. Pre-operatively carefully evaluating the outer eye corner angle, skin texture, and degree of eye prominence, and designing an appropriate incision range are key to preventing complications. If deformity has already developed, revision surgery is considered after canthus restoration.
Q3. Can the outer eye corner be lowered with just inferior canthoplasty?
Inferior canthoplasty lowers the line below the outer eye corner to secure vertical width, and can provide an indirect mitigating effect on the outer eye corner angle. However, since horizontal length extension is the role of posterior canthoplasty, if the eyes are short and narrow, inferior canthoplasty alone may be insufficient for adequate correction. There is also over-correction risk if lower eyelid support is weak, making pre-evaluation necessary.
Q4. Can the outer eye corner re-adhere or rise again after posterior and inferior canthoplasty?
Readhesion or the outer eye corner rising again can occur during tissue recovery after surgery. Applying firm fixation methods such as periosteal fixation helps increase durability. Adequate tissue stabilization time (at least 6 months) along with post-operative management is an important factor in reducing recurrence risk.
Q5. When can I have canthus restoration surgery if complications develop?
When complications occur after posterior canthoplasty, a staged approach performing canthus restoration surgery (reconstruction) first to stabilize tissues is recommended rather than immediate revision surgery. A staged approach typically requires at least 6 months or more of tissue stabilization time before deciding on revision surgery, and planning the next step after securing this period is safer.
This content is provided for informational purposes. Please consult with medical professionals for specific diagnosis and treatment.