Lateral epicanthoplasty
The appearance of the eyelids is one of the primary factors of human facial beauty. Going past the cosmesis, eyelids have a functional role and, as such, indirectly become an integral part of the underlying globe. They act like curtains to the globe, protecting it. In addition, they play a significant role in the overall health of the ocular surface and are responsible for spreading the tear film from the lower eyelid tear meniscus to the entire ocular surface, hence contributing to optimal vision. Any compromise to the normal function and anatomic resting position of the eyelids can have a deleterious effect on overall facial cosmesis and potentially cause tissue degradation, including corneal epithelial breakdown, corneal melt and perforation.
Lateral canthoplasty may be considered as one of the most valuable oculoplastic surgical procedures to correct lid abnormalities. The indications include ectropion, entropion, lateral canthal dystopia, horizontal lid laxity, lid margin eversion, lid retraction with or without soft tissue deficiency, paralytic lagophthalmos and aesthetic improvement. This procedure is a valuable adjunct to lower blepharoplasty, in the delivery of orbital tumors and in the prevention of some of the above-mentioned entities.Also, lateral canthoplasty is not for everyone in the sense that there are some specific types of eye shapes that are eligible for it. plastic surgeons will choose the most ideal lateral canthoplasty methods according to your eye shape and plastic surgeons in Iran are maybe the most experienced in this surgery as they have tried hard to master it.
Best Candidates for Lateral Canthoplasty?
If you just desire to have bigger eyes, for the most part, epicanthoplasty will be enough for you. lateral canthoplasty can be operated successfully when the tail of your eyes (outer corner) is pointing upward. This type of eyes tend to create kind of an angry look, which might leave a negative impression on others against your will. For this specific cases, lateral canthoplasty is often suggested.
Procedure of Lateral Canthoplasty
The procedure will make incisions at the outer corner of the eyelids and skillfully reposition the tails of the outer eyelids. Since symmetry is a must in every case, usually, upper or lower eyelid surgery is operated before lateral canthoplasty.
SURGERY RELATED ANATOMY
Lateral canthal tendon
The lateral canthal tendon (LCT) has a superficial component and a deep component. The superficial component is a continuous extension from the orbicularis oculis muscle that is inserted into the lateral orbital rim through the thickening of the overlay whereas the deep component of the LCT diverges from the lateral end of the tarsus and adjoins Whitnall’s tubercle of the lateral orbital rim. However, there is controversy surrounding the naming and the anatomical relationship of the surrounding tissue.. The deep portion mainly serves to provide lateral canthal support; therefore, the detachment and division of the deep portion is not recommended for ordinary cosmetic lateral canthoplasty. Instead, the superficial component should be sufficiently detached to allow the movement of the lateral canthus without tension.
What is the correction of the eye tail?
The correction of the tail of the eyes is one of the most popular canthoplasty surgeries. The correction of the eye tails reduces the side effects of Lateral Canthoplasty.
Getting only Lateral Canthoplasty might cause the upper and lower parts of the eye tails are attached to each other. The correction of the eye tails minimizes this side effect. It also has an effect of widening the horizontal length of the eyes and creates less sharp looking eyes.
If your eyes are too horizontally short or undefined, or you are unsatisfied with the result of the double eyelid surgery, or getting a canthoplasty may not cause an effective result. The correction of the eye tail may be effective to solve these problems.