Inner Corner, Outer Corner, and Lower Corner Surgery: What's the Difference?

"Canthoplasty" is a general term for procedures that widen the eyes toward the inner corner, outer corner, or lower corner, but inner corner surgery, outer corner surgery, and lower corner surgery each serve different purposes and suit different eye shapes. Which type is appropriate depends on whether an epicanthal fold is present, the length and prominence of the eyes, and the direction of the outer corners, and results vary by individual.

When Is Inner Corner Surgery (Epicanthoplasty) Considered?

Many people of Asian descent have extra skin at the inner corner of the eye (an epicanthal fold) that covers part of the eye's inner corner. When this fold is present, the eyes can appear farther apart and give a heavier impression, and if double eyelid surgery is performed without addressing it, the crease may not extend cleanly, resulting in a rounder, shorter-looking crease. In particular, an in-fold crease can make the eyes appear even farther apart, so it is worth reviewing crease type together with this consideration. For more on this, please also see our double eyelid crease guide.

What About Scarring After Inner Corner Surgery?

Epicanthal fold surgery does involve some scarring, and the trace tends to become more noticeable the more the eye is enlarged. For this reason, it is important to choose a moderate scope of surgery that keeps scarring minimal while still achieving a meaningful improvement. A small trace may remain and can appear reddish for about a month; taking scar-care medication for around two months is said to help it fade faster. This procedure is not recommended for those who are especially sensitive about scarring.

How Much Bigger Do the Eyes Look After Outer Corner Surgery (Lateral Canthoplasty)?

Outer corner surgery widens the outer canthus and can be expected to lengthen the eye by roughly 2 to 3mm on each side. By releasing the tissue at the outer corner, it can also help the eyes open more widely upward. Immediately after surgery, the widening may measure around 4mm, but some degree of relapse is normal afterward, and the result often settles down to about 2mm over time. In general, the effect tends to be more noticeable in eyes that are already large or prominent, while it may be more subtle in eyes that are small or recessed.

How Long Is Recovery After Outer Corner Surgery?

Lateral canthoplasty is said to leave a scar that is usually not very noticeable, does not require suture removal, and allows going outside on the day of surgery. Some mild bruising may occur around the outer corner afterward, but it typically looks natural again within about a week. That said, recovery speed varies by individual, so it is best to check this against your own schedule during your consultation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Lower Corner Surgery (Outer Canthal Lowering)?

Lower corner surgery is suited to eyes with upturned outer corners, and it aims to lower the outer corner line to create a larger, softer-looking eye shape. This is the same technique known in Japan as "tareme" or "panda-me" surgery. It is considered for those who want to lower upturned outer corners, soften a sharp or fierce impression, or make the eyes appear larger in the downward direction. The procedure involves incisions on both the inner conjunctival side and the skin side beneath the eyelid to reshape the lower line downward; it takes about 30 minutes, and because the surgery is performed through the conjunctival side, the scar that shows externally is said to be minimal.

Consultation Information

Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery (Apgujeong, Seoul) · 2F Apgujeong Building, 842 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · 02-3416-0070 (after hours 070-4027-0070) · Book a Consultation · About the Doctor

This article is for informational purposes only. The effects and recovery period of any surgery or procedure may vary by individual. All medical procedures carry the possibility of side effects, so please consult thoroughly with a specialist beforehand.

Procedure Reference Materials

Below is procedure information from our previous website (surgery.co.kr). Before-and-after results may vary by individual, and all medical procedures carry the possibility of side effects.