Canthoplasty
Cosmetic
Functional and Reconstructive
Canthoplasty — Structural Improvement of the Corner of the Eye
The lateral canthus — the outer corner where the upper and lower eyelids meet — is a defining structural element of the eye's appearance and function. Its position, tension, and angulation determine whether the eye appears almond-shaped and lifted or rounded and lax, and whether the lower eyelid maintains its proper position against the globe. Canthoplasty is a surgical procedure that reconstructs and repositions this critical structural junction — tightening lax lower eyelids, correcting malposition, restoring the natural upward angulation of the outer corner, and providing the foundational support that lower eyelid surgery frequently requires. Canthoplasty is most commonly performed in conjunction with lower blepharoplasty or eyelid reconstruction, where it serves both an aesthetic and a functional role — preventing postoperative lid malposition while simultaneously refining the shape and architecture of the eye.
Before
What Canthoplasty Can Address
Lower eyelid laxity and the ectropion or malposition it produces
A rounded or inferiorly displaced outer canthus that alters the shape of the eye
Lower eyelid instability following prior blepharoplasty or facial surgery
Canthal dystopia — asymmetry in the position of the outer corners between the two eyes
Structural support required to safely perform lower eyelid surgery in patients with pre-existing laxity
Cosmetic refinement of outer canthal angulation for a more defined, almond-shaped appearance
What to Expect
Canthoplasty is most frequently performed in conjunction with lower blepharoplasty or eyelid reconstruction rather than as an isolated procedure. Swelling at the outer corner is expected and resolves over two to four weeks. Patients are counseled that the final canthal position and eyelid contour are fully appreciated only after complete resolution of postoperative swelling