Epicanthoplasty (Inner Corner Surgery) in Korea
Epicanthoplasty (Inner Corner Surgery) in Korea
Epicanthoplasty, also known as inner corner eye surgery or medial canthoplasty, is a specialized eyelid procedure widely performed in Korea to open the inner corners of the eyes. It is commonly used to increase the visible width of the eyes, reduce a strong epicanthal (Mongolian) fold, and create a cleaner, more open eye appearance—without changing the natural identity of the eyes.
In Korea, epicanthoplasty is rarely performed aggressively. The goal is subtle opening and balance, not over-Westernization.
What Is the Epicanthal Fold?
The epicanthal fold is a vertical skin fold that partially covers the inner corner of the eye. It is common in East Asian anatomy and can make the eyes appear:
- Shorter horizontally
- Less defined at the inner corner
- Closer together
- Smaller despite double eyelid surgery
Epicanthoplasty modifies this fold to expose more of the inner eye corner, increasing horizontal eye length.
What Epicanthoplasty Does
Epicanthoplasty can:
- Open the inner eye corner
- Increase visible eye width
- Make the eyes look brighter and more defined
- Improve balance between inner and outer eye corners
- Enhance results of double eyelid surgery
It does not create a double eyelid crease. Instead, it reshapes the eye corner itself.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Epicanthoplasty may be suitable if you:
- Have a strong or thick epicanthal fold
- Feel your eyes look narrow or short horizontally
- Have eyes that appear close together
- Had double eyelid surgery but still feel the eyes look small
- Want a more open look without dramatic change
Not everyone needs epicanthoplasty. Patients with minimal epicanthal folds may see little benefit, which is why proper diagnosis is essential.
How Epicanthoplasty Is Performed in Korea
During the procedure:
- A small incision is made at the inner eye corner
- The epicanthal fold is carefully released or repositioned
- Skin is redraped to create a natural inner corner contour
- Sutures are placed in a way that hides scars within natural creases
Korean surgeons use scar-minimizing designs and conservative release to avoid a sharp or artificial inner corner.
Epicanthoplasty vs Double Eyelid Surgery
These two procedures are often confused but serve different purposes:
- Double eyelid surgery creates or enhances the upper eyelid crease
- Epicanthoplasty opens the inner eye corner
In Korea, epicanthoplasty is frequently combined with double eyelid surgery for balanced eye enlargement, especially when inner corner coverage limits the effect of crease creation alone.
Recovery and Healing
- Surgery usually takes 30–60 minutes
- Performed under local anesthesia with light sedation
- Mild swelling and bruising are common for 1–2 weeks
- Stitches are typically removed around day 5–7
- Inner corner redness gradually fades over several weeks
Scar maturation continues for several months, but scars usually become subtle when properly designed.
Risks and Considerations
As with any eye surgery, epicanthoplasty requires precision.
Potential concerns include:
- Over-opening the inner corner
- Visible scarring if done aggressively
- Asymmetry between eyes
- Temporary tightness or redness
These risks are minimized when the procedure is customized and conservative, which is why Korea is known for natural results.
Why Epicanthoplasty Is Popular in Korea
Korean surgeons are highly experienced with epicanthal fold anatomy and emphasize:
- Facial proportion analysis
- Natural inner corner contours
- Avoiding exaggerated or Westernized results
- Stable, long-term outcomes
This makes Korea a top destination for patients seeking refined inner corner surgery.
Final Thoughts
Epicanthoplasty is not about drastically changing eye shape—it’s about releasing inner corner tension and improving balance. When performed on the right candidate, it can make the eyes appear wider, clearer, and more harmonious with the face.
A detailed consultation is essential to determine whether epicanthoplasty will genuinely improve your eye proportions and how much opening is appropriate for your anatomy.
