Canthoplasty at Sinsa Station: Epicanthoplasty vs. Lateral Canthoplasty

The eyes play a major role in first impressions. Small, heavy-looking eyes can make you look sleepy or even harsh, so people who want bigger, more open eyes often look into canthoplasty. Canthoplasty is surgery that widens the eye horizontally or vertically to give the eyes a clearer, more defined shape.

Ruby Plastic Surgery near Sinsa Station compares the two main types of canthoplasty, epicanthoplasty and lateral canthoplasty: which eyes each suits, what each changes, and how to choose.

Epicanthoplasty: releasing the epicanthal fold to open the inner corner

Epicanthoplasty is surgery that corrects the epicanthal fold covering the inner part of the eye. The epicanthal fold is a common feature in East Asian eyes; it hides the inner corner of the eye, making the eyes look heavy and the space between them look wider.

When the epicanthal fold is corrected with epicanthoplasty, the inner corner of the eye opens up, revealing the pink tissue (lacrimal caruncle) that was hidden inside, and the eye becomes longer horizontally for a more defined shape. Eyes that looked wide-set naturally appear closer together, improving overall facial proportions. Epicanthoplasty is also often performed together with double eyelid surgery.

Lateral canthoplasty: widening the outer corner to change your look

Lateral canthoplasty is surgery that widens the outer corner of the eye to lengthen it horizontally. It is especially effective when upturned outer corners look harsh or short eyes look heavy. By adjusting the direction of the outer corner, it can create a softer, gentler look or a wide-open eye shape.

These days, many patients also add lower canthoplasty (dual canthoplasty), which slightly lowers the outer corner, to increase the vertical height of the eye as well and create bigger, kinder-looking eyes.

Epicanthoplasty vs. lateral canthoplasty: how to choose

Which type is right for you depends on the current features of your eyes and the change you want. That said, in most cases combining both procedures is more effective for overall harmony and size. Opening the inner corner with epicanthoplasty and widening the outer corner with lateral canthoplasty lengthens the eye overall for bigger, more open eyes.

Most important is a thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to accurately assess your eye structure and facial proportions and to plan the design and surgery that suit you. An experienced medical team can create natural yet open, bright eyes without unnecessary overcorrection.

In summary

Canthoplasty is surgery in which a small change can make a big difference to your look. If epicanthal folds and wide-set eyes are your concern, look at epicanthoplasty first; if short eyes and upturned outer corners are your concern, look at lateral canthoplasty first—and keep in mind that the two are often performed together.

---

Last reviewed: 2026-10-07

This article provides general medical information. Individual diagnosis and treatment plans are determined through an in-person consultation.