Canthoplasty in Korea: Epicanthoplasty & Lateral Eye-Corner Surgery (2026)

This guide is part of our pillar on Korean cosmetic procedures. Canthoplasty — surgery that lengthens the eye by opening its inner or outer corner — is one of Korea's most requested eye procedures, often combined with double eyelid surgery for a bigger, brighter eye. It can give a striking result, but the corners of the eye are unforgiving, so understanding the trade-offs matters more here than almost anywhere else.

Epicanthoplasty vs Lateral Canthoplasty

"Canthoplasty" is an umbrella term. The two procedures you will hear about most are different operations on opposite corners:

Procedure	What it does	Common goal
Epicanthoplasty (medial / inner corner)	Releases the Mongolian fold covering the inner corner	Eyes look longer and less "covered"; reduces a wide gap between eyes
Lateral canthoplasty (outer corner)	Extends or reshapes the outer corner	Eyes look longer toward the temple; can soften an upturned shape

They are frequently done together, and with double eyelid surgery, as part of an overall eye design. A related procedure, lateral canthopexy, tightens or repositions the outer corner without fully "opening" it.

What It Can — and Can't — Do

Canthoplasty changes the length and shape of the eye opening. It does not change the crease (that is double eyelid surgery) or lift a droopy upper lid from weak muscle (that is ptosis correction). Many "bigger eyes" results in Korea actually come from combining these procedures, not from any single one.

Realistic Results, Recovery, and Scarring

• Procedure time: roughly 30–60 minutes under local anesthesia.
• Stitches: usually removed around 5–7 days.
• Swelling & bruising: most settles within about 2 weeks; fine scars continue to soften and mature over several months.
• Scarring: every incision leaves a scar. Inner-corner scars are usually small but can be visible early on and occasionally heal with redness or "webbing."

Plan your trip so you are in Korea for the stitch-removal check, and expect the final refined look to take a few months, not days.

Typical Cost in Korea (2026)

Pricing depends on which corners are treated and whether it is bundled with eyelid surgery. As a rough 2026 guide for international patients:

• Epicanthoplasty (inner corner): roughly ₩800,000–₩1,500,000 (about USD 600–1,100).
• Lateral canthoplasty (outer corner): roughly ₩1,000,000–₩1,800,000 (about USD 750–1,350).
• Combined eye packages (with double eyelid) cost more but are often priced as a bundle.

Confirm exactly which procedures a quote includes, plus anesthesia and follow-up, in writing. Many clinics that see foreign patients also process the 10% VAT refund — ask.

Risks and Who Should Be Cautious

Because it reshapes the eye opening, canthoplasty carries real risks: asymmetry, over- or under-correction, visible or webbed scars, recurrence (the corner partially closing back up), and — if the opening is too aggressive — dry eye, irritation, or exposure of the inner conjunctiva. Revision is possible but harder than the first surgery. An experienced eye-focused (oculoplastic) surgeon and a conservative plan reduce these risks the most.

Canthoplasty is usually not the right choice if your concern is really the crease (double eyelid) or a droopy lid (ptosis), if you have dry-eye disease, or if you want a dramatic change that your anatomy can't safely support.

The Bottom Line

Canthoplasty can meaningfully widen and reshape the eyes, especially combined with double eyelid surgery — but the eye corners are delicate and inner-corner scars are hard to reverse, so this is a procedure where surgeon skill and restraint matter most. Decide on a natural, anatomy-respecting design, and read our guide on how to choose a clinic in Korea before booking.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Results, risks, and costs vary by individual. Always consult a licensed specialist before undergoing any procedure.