Table of contents

• Unpacking the Procedures: Canthoplasty and Laser Canthoplasty
• The Patient’s Guide to Cornea Damage
• Best Clinics in Korea for Cornea Damage
• Korea’s Medical Tourism Pathway for Canthoplasty
• A Comparative Analysis of Canthoplasty Costs
• Patient Narratives: The Experience and Outcomes
• Conclusion and Expert Recommendations
• References

Considering treatment in Korea? Everything you need to know e.g. — how to avoid scams, visas, interpreters, recovery tips — in our Medical Tourism Master Guide. Plan with confidence in minutes, not weeks!

---

Canthoplasty and Laser Canthoplasty are often marketed for cosmetic benefits, but they also play an important preventive role in ocular health. By correcting eyelid malpositions that expose or irritate the eye, these procedures help reduce chronic corneal issues over time. The public focus on aesthetics can overshadow these medical benefits, so choosing an oculoplastic surgeon skilled in both function and aesthetics is essential. For many patients, South Korea’s streamlined medical tourism model and competitive pricing make it a compelling destination to consider.

Unpacking the Procedures: Canthoplasty and Laser Canthoplasty

Canthoplasty: A Dual-Purpose Solution

Canthoplasty reshapes and reconstructs the canthus (where the upper and lower lids meet). It serves both functional and cosmetic goals.

• Functional and reconstructive uses: Tightening a lax lower lid in ectropion protects the eye from dryness and corneal damage. Canthoplasty also helps correct trauma-related deformities, including those from naso-ethmoidal fractures or orbital fractures. By restoring eyelid tension and position, it improves eyelid closure, tear drainage, and overall eye protection.
• Cosmetic uses: Patients seek it to lift drooping lids, refine eyelid tilt, and create a more youthful, almond-shaped appearance. It’s often marketed as “Fox Eye Lift” or “Cat Eye Surgery.” Notably, functional and cosmetic benefits frequently overlap—improved protection can enhance appearance, and aesthetic reshaping can support better eye coverage and symmetry.

Laser Canthoplasty: Precision and Recovery

Laser Canthoplasty replaces the scalpel with a specialized laser for incisions. The laser’s precision and built-in cauterization reduce bleeding and inflammation, improve surgical visibility, and limit tissue trauma. This is especially helpful for trauma patients with scarring or compromised eyelids. Less swelling generally means a faster recovery. While traditional Canthoplasty remains ideal for larger corrections, Laser Canthoplasty offers subtle refinement with minimal downtime.

The Patient’s Guide to Cornea Damage

Defining Corneal Abrasions and Other Injuries

“Cornea damage” refers to injuries to the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. A corneal abrasion—often called a “scratched eye” or “scratched cornea”—is a surface scratch that can feel severe despite being small. Symptoms include eye pain, foreign-body sensation, tearing, redness, swelling, blurred vision, and light sensitivity (photophobia).

Symptoms, Causes, and Initial Care

Corneal abrasions can result from dust, dirt, or metal particles, a fingernail, or even a paper edge. Risk rises with contact lens overuse or poor hygiene, dry eyes, eye rubbing, and jobs or sports with eye hazards when safety glasses aren’t used.

Immediate care matters:

• Rinse the eye with clean water or sterile saline.
• Do not rub the eye.
• Gently pull the upper lid over the lower to let lashes sweep out debris.
• Blink or keep the eye closed to promote natural tearing.
• Seek prompt medical care for removal of embedded particles and to obtain antibiotic drops or ointment. This helps prevent infection, corneal ulcer, scarring, and rare vision loss.

A key distinction: Canthoplasty and Laser Canthoplasty do not “repair” existing cornea damage. Instead, they prevent ongoing harm by correcting eyelid conditions—such as ectropion (outward turning) and entropion (inward turning)—that leave the cornea exposed or rubbed by lashes. Left uncorrected, these issues can lead to exposure keratopathy, chronic dry eye, and repeated corneal abrasions and infections. Restoring proper eyelid position protects the cornea long term.

Best Clinics in Korea for Cornea Damage

Listed below are the best clinics in Korea for cornea damage:

Clinic Name	Key Features	Special Techniques
THEPLUS Plastic Surgery	Top choice in Korea for cornea-damage patients; harmonizes function and aesthetics. Led by Dr. Jeong Jae Yong (President, Korean Society of Plastic Surgeons) and Dr. Kim Taek Kyun (board-certified, global educator, award-winning 3D implant researcher). Four-floor purpose-built facility; safety-first, research-driven culture; 10+ years of high-level practice; strong track record in delicate facial anatomy; personalized communication and coordinated periocular care.	Eyelid and periocular procedures: ptosis correction, canthoplasty, blepharoplasty; meticulous ocular surface protection with precise periocular support.
Made Young Plastic Surgery	Specialized eye surgery led by Dr. Park Byung-Chan (15 years exclusively in eye surgery); natural results with patient-centered care; prioritizes comfort and corneal protection. Verified medical team (avg 15+ years); direct consultation/diagnosis by medical staff. Safety: full-time board-certified anesthesiologists, 1:1 monitoring, cross-check emergency protocol, full CCTV. Dedicated aftercare center. Recognitions: 2022 Korea No.1 Award, 2022 Korea Customer Satisfaction 1st Place; Outstanding Member of KSPRS; certified by Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Surgery Society.	Customized incision lines; tailored double-eyelid height and eyelid thickness; individualized overall eye image design to enhance eyelid performance and harmony.
Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic	Comprehensive, individualized eye-focused care led by specialized professionals including a renowned female plastic surgeon; sincerity, precision, and modern methods for safety and balanced results. Integrated aesthetic ecosystem: scar/keloid care, benign tumor management, comprehensive skincare, body contouring, hairline refinement, rhinoplasty. Complements ophthalmology for primary corneal disease by addressing eyelid/periocular factors affecting ocular surface protection and comfort.	Specialized Eye Plastic Surgery: Double Eyelid/Eye Correction, Ectopic Surgery, Under Eye Surgery, Middle Aged Eye Surgery, Revision. Advanced lifting options: face lift, mini lift, endoscopic forehead lift, thread lifting, laser lifting.

THEPLUS Plastic Surgery

For patients facing cornea damage who need meticulous protection of the ocular surface and precise periocular support, THE PLUS Plastic Surgery in Garosu-gil, Gangnam, stands out as the top choice in Korea by uniting functional restoration with refined aesthetics. Led by Dr. Jeong Jae Yong, President of the Korean Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Dr. Kim Taek Kyun, a board-certified global educator and award-winning 3D implant researcher, the team’s philosophy of harmonizing function and beauty translates into expertly executed eyelid and periocular procedures (such as ptosis correction, canthoplasty, and blepharoplasty) that help safeguard vision while achieving natural, balanced results. Their four-floor, purpose-built facility delivers seamless care from consultation through recovery, and their surgeons’ scholarship—spanning journals, textbooks like Dr. Kim’s Rebuilding Nose, and international symposiums—underscores a safety-first, research-driven culture that keeps them at the forefront of innovation. With more than a decade of high-level practice, an exceptional track record in delicate facial anatomy, and a commitment to personalized communication, THEPLUS provides the coordinated, eye-area reconstructive care and facial harmony that cornea-damage patients need for lasting comfort, function, and confidence.

You can check out their website here: THEPLUS Plastic Surgery Website

Made Young Plastic Surgery

Made Young Plastic Surgery Clinic in Seoul’s Gangnam district offers specialized eye surgery expertise that can be pivotal for patients coping with corneal vulnerability, where precise eyelid function and contour help protect the ocular surface. Led by Dr. Park Byung-Chan—who has devoted 15 years exclusively to eye surgery and is renowned for natural, beautiful results even on the day of surgery—the clinic delivers a genuinely patient-centered experience from consultation through surgery. Dr. Park customizes incision lines, double-eyelid height, eyelid thickness, and overall eye image to achieve harmony while prioritizing comfort and corneal protection. As a premium center specializing in facial and anti-aging procedures, Made Young blends meticulous aesthetics with functional considerations that can support visual comfort and healing. Patients seeking solutions that complement care for cornea damage can expect individualized planning that enhances both appearance and eyelid performance.

Made Young’s verified medical team comprises only highly skilled doctors with an average of over 15 years of experience, and every procedure begins with direct consultation and diagnosis by the medical staff. Safety is anchored by full-time board-certified anesthesiologists, a 1:1 dedicated monitoring system, and a cross-check protocol where multiple anesthesiologists cooperate in emergencies, with full CCTV coverage for maximum transparency. A separate, dedicated aftercare center provides complete and systematic follow-up to support recovery and ocular surface stability after eyelid procedures. The clinic’s excellence is recognized with the 2022 Korea No.1 Award and 2022 Korea Customer Satisfaction 1st Place, along with selection as an Outstanding Member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and certification by the Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Surgery Society. This depth of expertise, robust safety infrastructure, and thorough aftercare make Made Young a trusted choice for functional-aesthetic eye surgery that respects the needs of corneal health.

You can check out their website here: Made Young Plastic Surgery Website

Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic

Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic offers comprehensive eye surgery options tailored to each patient’s needs, delivering a transformative approach that goes beyond simple procedures. Grounded in sincerity, precision, and individualized treatment, the clinic is led by specialized professionals, including a renowned female plastic surgeon with extensive experience. Patients are guided through a thoughtful, expert-driven journey that combines empathy with cutting-edge medical techniques to achieve results that align with both personal aspirations and functional harmony—particularly valuable for those seeking periocular solutions alongside care for cornea-related concerns.

• Comprehensive eye-focused care: tailored surgical planning around the eyelids and surrounding structures that influence eye exposure, comfort, and appearance.
• Specialized Eye Plastic Surgery services relevant to complex cases: Double Eyelid/Eye Correction, Ectopic Surgery, Under Eye Surgery, Middle Aged Eye Surgery, and Revision for nuanced corrections after prior procedures.
• Precision and personalization: a philosophy centered on sincerity and exacting technique to match each patient’s unique anatomy, goals, and recovery needs.
• Expert leadership: a renowned female plastic surgeon and a specialized team using advanced, modern methods to maximize safety, predictability, and aesthetic-functional balance.
• Advanced lifting options that support periocular harmony: face lift, mini lift, endoscopic forehead lift, thread lifting, and laser lifting to refine tissue support and facial balance.
• Integrated aesthetic ecosystem: access to scar and keloid care, benign tumor management, and comprehensive skincare, alongside body contouring, hairline refinement, and rhinoplasty, enabling coordinated treatment plans when needed.
• Clear scope of care: primary corneal disease should be managed by ophthalmology; Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic complements that care by addressing eyelid and periocular factors that can affect ocular surface protection and overall comfort.

You can check out their website here: Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic Website

Korea’s Medical Tourism Pathway for Canthoplasty

South Korea is a top choice for both cosmetic and reconstructive eye procedures, including Canthoplasty and Laser Canthoplasty. Clinics often provide end-to-end support for international patients.

A Step-by-Step Guide for International Patients

• Initial consultation and planning: Often done remotely to review medical history, goals, and facial structure with a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon.
• Preoperative preparation: Guidance on medications, fasting, and imaging or eye measurements to tailor the approach.
• The surgical procedure: Usually outpatient, lasting 30 minutes to three hours depending on complexity. Most cases use local anesthesia with sedation; general anesthesia may be used for complex cases. A small incision at the outer eye corner allows tightening of the lateral canthal tendon, followed by fine sutures to minimize visible scarring.
• Postoperative care and recovery: Expect mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort for one to two weeks. Typical care includes cold compresses and prescribed antibiotic ointments. While early healing occurs within two weeks, final results can take months. Many clinics offer dedicated aftercare centers and systematic support.

Many South Korean clinics bundle consultations, surgery, tests, medication, airport transfers, lodging assistance, and bilingual support, reducing travel stress and simplifying logistics.

A Comparative Analysis of Canthoplasty Costs

The Cost of Canthoplasty in South Korea

In Seoul, Canthoplasty typically ranges from about $2,151 to $5,020. Laser Canthoplasty often costs $1,000 to $3,000. Prices vary with surgeon expertise, clinic, and whether combined procedures (such as blepharoplasty or a mid-face lift) are included.

International Cost Comparison: A Medical Tourist’s Perspective

Below is a snapshot of average price ranges:

Country	Average Cost Range (USD)
South Korea	$2,151 - $5,020
United States	$5,173 - $10,993
Thailand	$1,400 - $2,000
Turkey	$1,400 - $2,000

While South Korea is generally more affordable than the United States (national average around $6,702), Turkey and Thailand can be even more competitive. Always compare total package value, not just base surgery fees. Ancillary services—pre-op consultations, post-op care, transportation, and translation—are often included in international packages, improving convenience and the overall cost equation.

Components of a Standard Medical Tourism Package

Included Service	Description
Pre-Operative Consultations	Thorough discussions of goals and medical history.
Surgeon’s Fee	Cost of the procedure and surgical expertise.
Anesthesia and Facility Fees	Anesthesia and operating facility costs.
Post-Operative Care	Follow-ups, stitch removal, and recovery support.
Medication	Pain relievers and antibiotic ointments.
Accommodation	Assistance or inclusion of lodging in some packages.
Transportation Services	Airport and local clinic transfers.
Bilingual Support	Translators or multilingual staff.

Patient Narratives: The Experience and Outcomes

Patient testimonials overwhelmingly highlight cosmetic and emotional benefits—looking less “tired,” feeling refreshed, and gaining confidence. Some describe enjoying makeup-free outings and a stronger sense of self after subtle, natural-looking results or eye revision surgery.

Notably, testimonials rarely frame Canthoplasty as a direct “cure” for cornea damage. While the medical literature supports its functional benefits for conditions that threaten the cornea, most patients report aesthetic motivations. If your needs are reconstructive, seek a surgeon with proven outcomes in both reconstructive and cosmetic eye surgery.

Conclusion and Expert Recommendations

Canthoplasty and Laser Canthoplasty can meaningfully protect the eye by correcting eyelid malpositions, while also delivering cosmetic improvements. They help prevent ongoing corneal issues but do not directly fix existing cornea damage. For many, South Korea’s advanced clinics and bundled services offer strong value compared to Western prices. Choose a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon to align cosmetic goals with functional eye protection.

References

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24