What is a Canthoplasty?
Canthoplasty surgery is as aesthetic or functional procedure to reconstruct or reshape the lateral canthus (outer corner of the eye). Canthoplasty surgery should only be performed by surgeons with significant experience with eyelid surgery & eyelid malposition. If performed incorrectly the results can be disastrous. A variant of canthoplasty procedure is “canthopexy”.
Canthoplasty can tighten a saggy, loose lower eyelid. It can also reshape and reposition the lateral canthus. This is especially useful in those patients who have had prior complicated lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) with retracted (pulled down) lower eyelid and rounded canthus and unpleasant “surgical” appearance, who need revisional eyelid surgery. It also treats lower eyelid laxity (ectropion), where the lower eyelid is floppy. Dr Taban uses a minimally invasive approach for canthoplasty and tightening the lower eyelid, which provides better eyelid contour with hidden scars, entitled “Aesthetic Lateral Canthoplasty”.
Canthoplasty may be combined with other eyelid and periocular surgeries, if necessary, such as blepharoplasty, ptosis surgery, brow lift, and midface lift. The surgery is usually done under local anesthesia, with or without intravenous sedation. The recovery usually involves 7-10 of swelling/bruising.
Who Should Perform The Surgery?
When choosing a surgeon to perform canthoplasty, look for an oculoplastic surgeon, with membership in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), which indicates he or she is not only a board certified ophthalmologist who knows the anatomy and structure of the eyelids and orbit, but also has had extensive training in ophthalmic plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.