When epicanthoplasty is considered

Epicanthoplasty adjusts the skin fold covering the inner corner of the eye (the epicanthal fold) to change the horizontal length of the eye and the distance between the eyes. It is not needed by everyone and is decided carefully, based on the proportions of the eyes and face.

When it is considered

• The epicanthal fold covers much of the inner corner, making the eyes look small
• The eyes look relatively far apart
• The double eyelid crease doesn't flow naturally from the inner corner

When caution is needed

If the eyes are already close together or there is hardly any fold, epicanthoplasty can make the look sharper. Reversing an opened inner corner is also not easy, so it is important to be conservative about how much is opened.

Methods

There are several ways of redistributing the skin depending on the shape and degree of the fold, designed to keep the scar as discreet as possible. The method is chosen for each patient according to the fold, and in scar care the most important thing is to leave the wound alone.

How it relates to other eyelid surgery

Epicanthoplasty is often combined with double eyelid surgery or ptosis correction. Each affects the look of the eyes differently, so the combination needed is decided at the consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Does epicanthoplasty leave a scar? A scar forms at the inner corner and usually fades gradually over time. Recovery and the degree of scarring vary. See also Scar care after eyelid surgery.

Can epicanthoplasty be reversed? Restorative surgery exists, but it isn't easy and its results are limited. That is why the extent is decided carefully from the start.