Lateral canthoplasty (eye shape surgery that lengthens the outer corner) can extend the eye no further than the gap between the corner and the orbital rim, so measuring that gap comes before any design. Choosing lateral canthoplasty in Korea means finding a surgeon who shows you that limit first. Dr. Jang Jin-woo, a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon, operates on the outer corner at ENTER Plastic Surgery in Seoul.
Four checks
Four lateral canthoplasty questions that sort out a consultation
Outer-corner surgery changes a few millimeters of tissue, and much of the outcome is decided by planning. Ask each surgeon these four questions and compare how specific the answers are.
How much room do my corners have?
The pink lining at the outer corner and the distance to the socket rim set the limit. Ask the surgeon to examine both eyes and explain the change that is realistic for you, with the eyes open and closed.
Outer corner, lower lid, or both?
Lateral canthoplasty lengthens the eye toward the temple, while lower canthoplasty brings the outer stretch of the lower lid down slightly. Ask which part does what for your eyes, since at this clinic both are priced as one operation.
What if the corner closes up?
As it heals, an opened corner can partly reattach and the gain becomes smaller. Ask how this is prevented and what would be offered if it happens.
Where did my idea come from?
Online videos about this surgery have been found to lean toward advertising. Bring the photos that shaped your expectation and ask the surgeon to say plainly which parts are achievable.
Clinic types
Best Lateral Canthoplasty in Seoul: Four Settings Side by Side
Outer-corner surgery in Seoul is sold in very different ways, from a surgeon's own eyelid list to packages that add a corner to a double eyelid booking. The table sets out what to confirm in each.
| Setting | How the outer corner is offered | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic surgery clinic focused on the upper face | Planned with the lids and brow by the surgeon who operates | Will the surgeon at consultation also operate? |
| Large hospital with several surgeons | Corners handled within a wider eye team | Who decides how far the corner moves? |
| Eye package seller | Corner surgery bundled with a crease operation | Can each part be booked or declined on its own? |
| Social media or agency booking | Chosen from photos and short videos | Who removes the stitches, and on which day? |
Any of these can give a careful result. A written plan that names the corner work, the anesthesia and the stitch-removal day is what lets you weigh one against another.
Prices
Lateral canthoplasty cost at ENTER Plastic Surgery
On the clinic's fee list, lateral and lower canthoplasty are one combined operation covering the outer corner and the outer lower lid, and the surgery card shows that fee. There is no separate line for one part on its own, so a plan for the outer corner alone needs a written quote.
Local anesthesia is used, with IV sedation as an option; when sedation is chosen, it is billed on its own line beside the operation fee. The cards are before tax, with 10% VAT added when you pay. Have the deposit and cancellation conditions stated on the quote before you transfer anything.
Prices exclude VAT (10% VAT is added at payment).
Before & after
Lateral canthoplasty case photos
BEFORE
AFTER
Your doctor
Chief Director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“Natural, yet clearly visible change.”Eyelid and facelift surgery at ENTER is planned and performed by Dr. Jang himself.
- NowChief Director, ENTER Plastic Surgery
- TrainingPlastic surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
- FormerChief Director, Jang Plastic Surgery
- FormerDirector, Secret Plastic Surgery
- MemberKSPRS · KSAPS · ISAPS · ESOPRS · ASPS
Terms
Lateral canthoplasty, lower canthoplasty and canthopexy compared
Three similar words describe different operations at the outer corner. Reading them correctly keeps a quote from promising one thing and listing another.
| Term | What it changes | On this clinic's list |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral canthoplasty | Opens the outer corner so the eye ends further toward the temple | Part of the combined operation |
| Lower canthoplasty | Lowers and softens the curve of the outer lower lid | Part of the combined operation |
| Canthopexy | Tightens the tendon that holds the corner, without opening it | Not a separate menu item |
Canthopexy is a supporting procedure used in some eyelid operations. If a quote mentions it, ask what it is for in your plan.
Your stay
A one-week plan around outer-corner surgery in Seoul
The operation takes about 30 minutes to an hour. The clinic's aftercare then sets the shape of your week, with one return visit to take the stitches out.
Operation day
The corner is numbed locally, and IV sedation can be added on request. Slight blood spotting on tissues over the first day or two is expected.
Days 1 to 3
Cold compresses. Swelling and bruising peak and then settle over three to seven days.
From day 4
Switch to warmth: 30 seconds of warm compress, then 5 minutes off, repeated.
Days 5 to 7
The stitch-removal visit. By the clinic's guidance, flying home comes after this visit.
Two weeks
No nose blowing, and sneeze gently, since pressure reaches the healing corners.
Two to three months
The new line of the corner settles.
Research
What lateral canthoplasty case reports and video studies warn about
Published research on cosmetic lateral canthoplasty is thin and mostly made of single case reports, and those reports describe problems worth knowing by name.
Two reports described a conjunctival fistula after cosmetic lateral canthoplasty, an abnormal channel through which tears reached the skin of the outer corner. In one, the fistula had to be cut out (Zhang, 2020); in the other, tears had run onto the skin for three years before surgical repair (Hou, 2022). The authors advised checking for watering and leaks at follow-up.
A study of 173 online videos about aesthetic canthoplasty found that 82.1% were posted by medical professionals, yet 46.2% were closer to advertising than education, with generally low quality scores. The authors warned that such content can build unrealistic expectations and urged a specialist consultation (Yılmaz, 2024).
- Re-adhesion, where the corner partly closes and the change shrinks
- Uneven corners between the two eyes
- A visible scar or notch at the corner
- The lower lid pulling down and showing more white of the eye
- Dry or irritated eyes for a period
- Tears leaking through a fistula, rare
At ENTER
Lateral canthoplasty with ENTER Plastic Surgery
Dr. Jang Jin-woo is the operating surgeon. The clinic's surgical work centers on the upper face, the eyelids and brow, so a request about the outer corner is assessed together with the crease and lid shape. The surgeon is a member of ESOPRS and ASPS as well as Korean plastic surgery societies.
A first review needs three close photos of your eyes: gazing forward, gazing upward and gently closed. They can go on WhatsApp or be attached to the booking form. English-speaking staff are available at the clinic. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Case report of conjunctival sac fistula after cosmetic lateral canthoplastyBMC Ophthalmology · 2020 · Zhang W et al. · doi:10.1186/s12886-020-01402-3
A case report of a conjunctival sac fistula after cosmetic lateral canthoplasty, treated by excision, with advice to check for watering and fistula at follow-up.
- Conjunctival Fistula After Cosmetic Lateral CanthoplastyJournal of Craniofacial Surgery · 2022 · Hou D et al. · doi:10.1097/scs.0000000000008827
A case report in which tears ran onto the skin of the outer corner for three years after cosmetic lateral canthoplasty until fistula repair, with three fistula types described.
- Pitfalls of social media for aesthetic eye surgery patients: assessing YouTube’s aesthetic canthoplasty contentInternational Ophthalmology · 2024 · Yılmaz İ et al. · doi:10.1007/s10792-024-03197-4
A review of 173 online videos on aesthetic canthoplasty: 82.1% came from medical professionals but 46.2% leaned toward advertising, with low quality scores overall.
FAQ
Lateral canthoplasty in Korea: questions while you compare surgeons
How much longer can lateral canthoplasty make my eyes?
That depends on the room between your outer corner and the socket rim, and it differs from person to person. A surgeon should examine both eyes and explain the change that is realistic before you book, since no fixed length applies to everyone.
Is lower canthoplasty included in the lateral canthoplasty price?
Yes. The fee covers the outer corner and the outer lower lid together, at ₩2,600,000, excluding VAT (10% VAT is added at payment). If you choose IV sedation, ₩300,000 is added as its own line beside the operation fee.
Can the outer corner close up again after surgery?
It can. An opened corner may partly reattach while it heals, which makes the change smaller. Ask the surgeon how the corner is closed to reduce this and what would be offered if it happens.
How long a stay in Seoul does lateral canthoplasty need?
Long enough to reach the stitch-removal visit. The stitches are taken out around day five to seven at the single follow-up, and by the clinic's guidance your flight home should follow it. Bruising and puffiness fade over three to seven days.
Which anesthesia is used (spelled anaesthesia in the UK)?
Yes. Local anesthesia is used, with IV sedation as an option if you prefer to be drowsy during the operation. The operation itself takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
Why would watery tears at the outer corner be a concern?
Because a rare complication called a conjunctival fistula lets tears escape through the skin of the corner. Case reports describe it after cosmetic lateral canthoplasty, with repair needed. Report persistent watering at follow-up.
Can I rely on lateral canthoplasty videos online?
With care. A 2024 study of 173 videos found 46.2% were closer to advertising than education, although 82.1% were posted by medical professionals. Use them to form questions, and let an examination of your own eyes set the plan.
Google reviews
Reviews on Google Maps
Great experience! Dr. is very sweet and kind. He listened to what I wanted to fix and correct. He explained everything very well. Wasn’t pushy and didn’t try to sell anything extra. This isn’t a clinic that comes out on instagram, which I…
Jennifer LyuA month agoI came to Enter Plastic Surgery on a friend’s recommendation for under-eye fat repositioning. I was pretty nervous going in, but the doctor took the time to explain what would work for my under-eyes, what the procedure involved, and what…
Michael2 months agoThe staff are incredibly friendly, and the consultation was very thorough. I was very worried since it was my first procedure, but the director explained the aftercare in detail, so I felt completely confident trusting them!!
ROOHEUI SHIN (RHS)2 months ago · Translated by Google