Canthoplasty is a surgical technique used to lift the outer corners of the eyes, correct drooping eyelids and provide extra eyelid support after upper or lower blepharoplasty. Canthoplasty is ideal for improving a tired or sad expression, restoring a sought-after “cat eye” appearance and creating a more youthful look to the eye area.

Canthoplasty is a cosmetic and reconstructive surgery that can fix the outer corner of the eye, restoring skin tone, lifting the eyelid and creating a more “almond-shaped” eye.

This procedure is also called lateral canthoplasty because it focuses on reshaping and repositioning a portion of your eye called the lateral canthus. The lateral canthus is the upper outer corner of your eye, where your upper and lower eyelids form a horizontal “v”.

In fact, Canthoplasty can tighten a saggy, loose lower eyelid, and reshape and reposition the lateral canthus. This procedure uses an incision in the outer corner of the eyelid to reconstruct the weakened or stretched canthal tendon that anchors the lower eyelid, which in turn elevates the outer corners of the eyes and improves their overall shape.

Before Canthoplasty Surgery

Preparation for Canthoplasty

• Patients must quit smoking 6 weeks before the surgery and avoid drinking alcohol a week before the surgery.
• Patients must be at a good health condition, avoid any medication before the surgery and herbal supplements.
• Patients need to make sure they arrange for someone to come with them to the surgery, as they will be given sedative and local anesthetic, they can feel tired and drowsy.
• Patients are advised not to eat for a certain time before the surgery (patients will be informed by the surgeon before the surgery).

Who is a good candidate for canthoplasty surgery?

Canthoplasty is suitable for:

. Typically, patients who have drooping, sagging or baggy lower eyelids would be a good candidate for this type of procedure, particularly if the current appearance and shape of the eye are causing them distress.

. Male and female patients over the age of 18

. Patients who are at a good health condition and healthy both mentally and physically.

Read more about : DCR surgery

Why is canthoplasty surgery done?

This procedure may be carried out for either cosmetic or medical purposes and can create an almond / cat-eye shape or reduce the effect of droopy eyes (ptosis) or eye bags that occur with ageing. Canthoplasty may also be performed to correct a lower lid malposition or laxity caused by either trauma or previous eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). 

What are the Benefits of a Canthoplasty Procedure?

. Correct eyelid issues including ptosis or disfigurement caused by trauma, ageing or disease.

. Tightening the muscle(s) that connect your upper and lower eyelids (these eye area muscles weaken as you age).

. Improve prior eye surgeries that haven’t gotten the best results (e.g., Revisional Blepharoplasty for correcting prior lower eyelid surgery).

. Correct ectropian or entropian conditions

. Better protect your cornea and eye surface

. Provide ocular-muscle support, as well as restore tear duct lubrication capacity

Risks and Complications

Canthoplasty is a minor surgery and doesn’t have serious risks but just like every surgery there are some risks with Canthoplasty surgery such as:

. Temporary blurred or double vision

. Swelling

. Infection

Complications that may occur are:

. Asymmetry

. Overcorrection (too high) or undercorrection (too low).

Read more about : Forehead reduction surgery

Canthoplasty and Blepharoplasty: how are they different?

Canthoplasty surgery should not be confused with the better-known blepharoplasty, another type of eyelid surgery. Blepharoplasty is a rejuvenation procedure that focuses on removing excess skin from the lower eye or upper eye that has become lax due to age, without modifying the shape or size of the eye.

Many patients benefit the most from combining a lateral canthoplasty to lift, enlarge and reshape the eye with a blepharoplasty to get rid of under-eye bags and expression lines.

Read more about : Brow lift surgery

During Canthoplasty Surgery

How is canthoplasty surgery performed?

Canthoplasty usually takes from 1 to 2 hours. Before the surgery begins a plastic clear shield will be put to cover the eye throughout the surgery. The surgery will start by the surgeon making marks on the upper eyelid where the incisions will be made. Incisions around 1 cm will be made on the upper eyelid following the natural folds of the area. Once the surgeon gets to the canthal tendon he / she will tighten it and fix it to the membrane that covers the orbital rim (periosteum).  If there is too much excess skin or fat on the lower eyelid, the surgeon will remove them and then close the incisions with sutures. Once the surgery ends the shield will be removed from the eye and a dressing will be applied to protect the wounds.

Canthoplasty is an outpatient procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. During a canthoplasty, the surgeon cuts through the muscle from the inside of the eyelid to adjust the lateral canthus. Your surgeon can lift the intersection of the eyelids, in order to have the outside corner of the eye slightly raised in relation to the inner corner, giving an almond-shape with smooth skin.

There are two main types canthoplasty surgery. The first is called a lateral canthoplasty. This achieves a ‘cat eye’ appearance. The second is called an epi-canthoplasty which involves the reshaping of the inner corner of the eyes.

Read more about : Neck lift surgery

After canthoplasty surgery

• Patients are usually sent home a few hours after the surgery.
• The stitches are usually removed 2 days after the surgery and most of the swelling is gone within 2 weeks.
• Patients should keep their head elevated by sleeping on around 2 pillows.
• Cold compress can be done on the eye a few times during the day.
• Extra care should be taken to avoid injuries to the eye.
• Patients should not bend or lift heavy things.
• Patients have to apply and take the eye drops, ointments and other medications will be prescribed by the surgeon.

The recovery time after Canthoplasty is quite short as the operation is on a small area of the body and carried out under local anesthetic. Directly after the procedure, you will be taken to a recovery room where you will be monitored for the next hour or two. During this time the nurses will also monitor your vital signs and the anesthetic and sedative will start to wear off. You may feel nauseous and cold during this time but the nurses will provide you with blankets and it shouldn’t be long before these side effects subside. You may also have some pain and pain medication will be provided. A dressing will have been applied to your eyes to protect them and reduce the swelling. When the surgeon assesses you, they will decide if you are ok to go home and if so, you will be discharged that day.

Generally, patients go back to work two days after their surgery. If you have had stitches that are not dissolvable, you will need to return to the surgery two to five days later to have them removed. You will also have to meet your surgeon at certain dates to ensure that you are healing nicely and that there have been no unwanted complications.

There are certain activities that you will need to avoid for a while. You do not want to strain your eyes as they can get irritated so avoid activities like reading, watching TV, using the computer or wearing contacts. You should also avoid bending down or any sports, as you need to keep your head as elevated as possible. If possible, you should also avoid crying. It is estimated that the full recovery time and the time where the full effects of the surgery are revealed is three weeks.

Full recovery for canthoplasty is normally between 2-4 weeks, during which time it is extremely important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions and attend any scheduled follow-up appointments.

Canthoplasty Surgeons in Iran

How can I find the best canthoplasty surgeon in Iran?

Canthoplasty (Cat Eyes) surgeons in Iran can make your face more appealing.

It is important that you seek the assistance of experienced and skilled canthoplasty surgeons in Iran who have provided a suitable condition for people with limited budgets to do canthoplasty in Iran easily. It is worth explaining that the quality provided by Iranian surgeons is far higher than other countries including Turkey and India.

Read more about : Plastic surgery hospitals in Iran