Table of contents

• Upper Canthoplasty at a Glance
• What Is Upper Canthoplasty?
• Who Is a Good Candidate for Upper Canthoplasty?
• How Is Upper Canthoplasty Performed?
• Why Visit Korea for Upper Canthoplasty?
• Key Information for International Patients
• Which Are the Best Clinics in Korea for Upper Canthoplasty?
• Upper Canthoplasty From Start to Finish
• Alternatives to Upper Canthoplasty
• How Can I Prepare for Upper Canthoplasty?
• Aftercare Advice

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Last updated: September 2026

Upper Canthoplasty at a Glance

• What it changes — Upper canthoplasty is an upper-medial epicanthal-fold release or redraping procedure that reveals more of the nasal end of the upper-eyelid crease; it does not enlarge the eye, improve vision, or correct ptosis.
• Best candidates — It is best suited to healthy adults whose upper epicanthal fold covers an existing or planned eyelid crease and who want a restrained increase in upper-inner crease visibility, often alongside double-eyelid surgery.
• Korea-specific meaning — In Korea, “upper canthoplasty” commonly means subtle upper-medial fold modification, not outer-corner surgery; because it is not a standardized academic term, the surgeon should specify the incision, release area, and whether medial epicanthoplasty is included.
• Recovery timeline — Bruising commonly improves in 5–10 days and swelling in 2–4 weeks; many patients are socially presentable in 7–14 days, but the most reliable contour and scar assessment takes 6–12 months.
• Korea stay — Plan at least 7–10 full days in Korea after stand-alone surgery for early recovery and wound review, or 10–14 days when sutures need removal or the procedure is combined with eyelid surgery; long-haul flying requires surgeon clearance.
• Key risk — The central trade-off is improving crease exposure without visible scarring, asymmetry, excessive inner-corner opening, dry-eye or exposure symptoms, or injury to the nearby lacrimal drainage system.
• Important limitation — There is no gold-standard technique or strong isolated-procedure evidence for Korean-defined upper canthoplasty, so results and scar visibility depend heavily on individual anatomy, conservative planning, healing, and surgeon technique.

What Is Upper Canthoplasty?

Upper canthoplasty is a cosmetic eyelid operation that adjusts the upper-inner skin fold to reveal more of the inner portion of the upper-eyelid crease. It addresses a crowded or covered upper-inner eyelid appearance and aims for a clearer, more continuous crease. It is a surgical procedure, usually performed as an outpatient operation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Upper Canthoplasty?

• Upper-crease coverage — Good candidates have an upper epicanthal fold that covers the nasal end of an existing or planned upper-eyelid crease and want a restrained increase in crease visibility.
• Combined eyelid plan — The procedure is often considered with double eyelid surgery when the fold would otherwise interrupt the medial crease; epicanthoplasty is commonly paired with blepharoplasty in Asian patients in the published literature.
• Stable expectations — Suitable candidates understand that this refines upper-inner eyelid contour. It does not enlarge the eyeball, improve refractive error, or correct a low eyelid margin caused by ptosis.
• Healthy periocular anatomy — Candidates need adequate eyelid closure, a stable ocular surface, and anatomy that permits conservative fold release without excessive medial opening or tension.

Avoid elective surgery during active eye, eyelid-skin, sinus, or systemic infection. Uncontrolled dry eye, exposure symptoms, incomplete lid closure, lid laxity or malposition, prominent-eye anatomy, corneal disease, unstable thyroid eye disease, recent eye surgery, unexplained visual symptoms, or prior periocular trauma require ophthalmic or oculoplastic assessment and can rule out surgery. Adults are the appropriate group for this elective aesthetic operation; medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, bleeding disorders, immunosuppression, and nicotine use must be optimized or addressed first. An in-person examination must distinguish fold coverage from brow descent, excess upper-lid skin, asymmetry, and true ptosis, which can require ptosis correction instead.

How Is Upper Canthoplasty Performed?

“Upper canthoplasty” is a Korean cosmetic label, not a standardized academic operation. Ask the surgeon to identify the exact upper-medial fold target, incision pattern, release vector, tissue handling, and whether conventional medial epicanthoplasty is included; no gold-standard epicanthoplasty technique has been established.

• Upper-only fold release or redraping — A limited upper-medial design uncovers more of the nasal upper-lid crease while aiming to avoid overexposure of the caruncle or lacrimal lake. This is the closest match to the Korean use of “upper canthoplasty.”
• Combined upper and medial epicanthoplasty — This treats both superior crease coverage and the frontal inner fold. It creates a more noticeable medial-contour change, with greater need for conservative planning and scar counseling. It is distinct from lower canthoplasty, which concerns the outer eye corner.
• Flap or transposition design — Broader medial-epicanthoplasty approaches include root or modified Z-plasty, Y-V plasty, Mustardé-type, advancement, and transposition designs. In a Korean retrospective series, three medial techniques increased horizontal fissure width by about 1.6–1.9 mm at six months, but this evidence concerns medial epicanthoplasty, not isolated upper canthoplasty.
• Skin-redraping design — Skin and underlying fibromuscular structures are selectively released and repositioned through a planned medial-canthus incision. Technical reports describe scar-conscious placement, but scar visibility and contour remain dependent on anatomy, tension, healing, and technique.
• Evidence limitation — A 2026 meta-analysis of 14 studies and 1,539 patients compared Z-plasty with skin redraping for epicanthus correction, not Korean-defined upper canthoplasty. Z-plasty had better six-month scar scores, satisfaction, and recurrence outcomes in the included studies, but all studies were from China, heterogeneity was high, and follow-up was six months or less.

Why Visit Korea for Upper Canthoplasty?

Korean clinics commonly use the term “upper canthoplasty” for upper-medial epicanthal-fold modification, a distinction that helps patients discuss a subtle crease-exposure goal separately from outer-corner canthoplasty. Korea also has an established market for combining this surgery with double-eyelid procedures. These factors do not prove that outcomes are superior in Korea, and direct Korea-versus-other-country outcome studies are lacking.

• Terminology-specific consultation — Korean providers commonly present upper canthoplasty as a discrete periocular option. Insist on an anatomical operative plan because the label is inconsistently defined in academic literature and can describe different amounts of medial fold release.
• Combined-eyelid planning — Published reviews describe epicanthoplasty as frequently combined with blepharoplasty in Asian patients. This is relevant when the medial fold affects continuity or visibility of a planned eyelid crease.
• Documented provider search tools — International patients can use the Medical Korea provider directory and its registered-system resources as a starting point for checking providers, rather than relying only on package advertisements.
• Evidence boundaries — Comparative technique research is largely about broader medial epicanthoplasty. It does not establish the ideal incision, amount of opening, revision rate, or best method for isolated upper canthoplasty.

Key Information for International Patients

• Minimum stay — Plan at least 7–10 full days in Korea after stand-alone surgery. A 10–14-day stay is more practical when removable sutures are used, bruising is substantial, or surgery is combined with double-eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty, or ptosis repair.
• Flight timing — The American Society of Plastic Surgeons gives general guidance of 7–10 days before flying after facial cosmetic surgery, including eyelid surgery. This is not a procedure-specific clearance rule. The operating surgeon must check vision, wound healing, ocular symptoms, anesthesia recovery, and clot risk before approving a long-haul flight.
• First-week itinerary — Expect swelling, bruising, tightness, tearing, light sensitivity, and temporarily blurred vision for several days. Keep days 2–4 free for rest near the clinic, cool compresses, medication, and urgent review if needed.
• Suture and wound review — Schedule an in-person wound check and removal of nonabsorbable sutures, often during days 5–10 when used. Do not book a departure that prevents this review unless the surgeon confirms another safe arrangement.
• Activity restrictions — Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, repetitive bending, swimming, saunas, hot tubs, alcohol, contact lenses, and eye makeup until the surgeon clears them. Do not drive while vision is blurred or while taking sedating medication.
• Remote follow-up — Before departure, obtain a written operative summary, medication list with doses, wound-care instructions, expected-healing photographs, and an emergency contact. Arrange local urgent ophthalmic care at home; remote messaging is not adequate for vision loss, escalating pain, rapidly increasing one-sided swelling, or wound separation.

Travel note: Build flexibility into flights and accommodation. A surgeon may delay travel when swelling, wound status, dry-eye symptoms, vision concerns, or a combined procedure make departure unsafe.

Which Are the Best Clinics in Korea for Upper Canthoplasty?

Listed below are some of the best clinics in Korea for upper canthoplasty.

1. Made Young Plastic Surgery

For an upper-canthoplasty consultation, Made Young Plastic Surgery offers an eye-surgery setting supported by direct medical-team consultation and diagnosis, with canthoplasty listed alongside double-eyelid surgery, ptosis correction, and upper blepharoplasty. You can discuss whether an eye-corner procedure fits your anatomy and how it may coordinate with other eyelid concerns.

• URL: Made Young Plastic Surgery Website
• Location: Seocho-gu, Seoul
• Eye-area options:
  • Canthoplasty is offered within the clinic’s eye-surgery services.
  • Related services include non-incisional and incisional double-eyelid surgery, ptosis correction, upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, and dark-circle treatment.
• Anesthesia and monitoring:
  • Full-time board-certified anesthesiologists are on site.
  • The clinic describes one-to-one anesthesiologist monitoring and a cross-check response system for emergencies.
  • Procedure areas have CCTV coverage.
• Follow-up care: A separate dedicated aftercare center provides systematic post-procedure care.

2. RINE Plastic Surgery Clinic

At RINE Plastic Surgery Clinic, you can have your eye-corner concerns assessed through a one-to-one plan designed around your facial proportions, skin condition, and individual eye shape. Director Jang Nam personally oversees consultation, surgery, treatment, and recovery; the clinic describes canthoplasty as lateral or posterior corner adjustment to extend horizontal eye length or refine the outer-corner angle.

• URL: RINE Plastic Surgery Clinic Website
• Location: Seocho-gu, Seoul
• Eye-surgery experience:
  • The director has personally performed more than 10,000 eye surgeries.
  • The clinic reports more than 15 years of clinical experience in eye surgery and anti-aging procedures.
  • Planning emphasizes natural-looking eye lines rather than a one-size-fits-all design.
• Related eye treatments:
  • Available eye services include non-incisional double-eyelid surgery, ptosis correction, under-eye fat repositioning, and revision double-eyelid or epicanthoplasty surgery.
  • Upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty with lifting, and subbrow lift are available for age-related eyelid or brow heaviness.
• Recovery and technology:
  • You can recover privately in a one-person recovery room.
  • The clinic lists a full-HD endoscope, FDA-approved Endotine, and WhiteLite bipolar equipment.
  • It describes continuous aftercare, infection-control measures, surgical safety protocols, and emergency preparedness.

3. LABOM Plastic Surgery

You may consider LABOM Plastic Surgery if you want an anatomy-based canthoplasty assessment that considers eye length, eye height, the epicanthal fold, and overall facial proportions rather than simply making the eyes appear larger. Its customized approach can combine inner, outer, and lower canthoplasty techniques when appropriate, while identifying brow or eyelid ptosis when that—not the inner corner—is the underlying concern.

• URL: LABOM Plastic Surgery Website
• Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Canthoplasty planning:
  • Inner, outer, and lower canthoplasty techniques can be combined according to your eye shape, Mongolian fold, and facial proportions.
  • The clinic describes outer-corner correction as a way to extend horizontal eye length and lower canthoplasty as a way to increase vertical eye height.
  • When brow or eyelid ptosis mimics an epicanthal fold, the clinic may recommend brow-ptosis correction instead of unnecessary inner-corner surgery.
• Procedure and recovery:
  • The clinic states that canthoplasty takes about 60 minutes and may be performed with sleep or local anesthesia, followed by same-day discharge.
  • Stitches are generally removed at about seven days, with an estimated recovery period of about seven days.
  • Outer and lower techniques are described as using your own ligament tissue anchored with sutures, without implanted fixation material.
• Potential combinations and care:
  • Depending on your condition, canthoplasty may be paired with under-eye fat repositioning, upper-eyelid fat grafting, or brow-ptosis correction.
  • Specialists directly perform procedures, with individualized pre-operative diagnosis, anesthesia monitoring, and structured swelling, bruising, and scar-management programs.
  • The clinic reports more than 20 years of accumulated experience with these eye-enlarging techniques.

Upper Canthoplasty From Start to Finish

1. First contact and virtual review — Send clear front-facing and oblique photographs only after confirming the clinic’s privacy process. An English-language or virtual consultation can clarify goals, but photographs cannot adequately assess lid closure, dry eye, laxity, scar behavior, or the safe amount of medial opening.
2. In-person periocular assessment — The surgeon reviews eye disease, dry-eye treatment, contact-lens use, prior LASIK/PRK, prior eyelid surgery, medicines, supplements, allergies, scar history, and expectations. Examination should assess eyelid position, closure, laxity, symmetry, ocular surface, brow position, and whether ptosis or excess skin is the real cause of a heavy appearance.
3. Plan confirmation and travel coordination — Confirm whether the operation is upper-only release, combined medial epicanthoplasty, or part of double-eyelid surgery. Obtain the planned post-operative visit date, suture-removal plan, medication instructions, escort requirement, and flight-clearance process before committing to departure.
4. Preoperative marking and anesthesia — On surgery day, the surgeon typically marks the upper-medial fold while the patient is upright. Limited eyelid surgery is commonly performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with oral or IV sedation; combined operations can change the anesthesia plan and total duration.
5. Fold modification — Through a small upper-medial incision or a planned flap/redraping design, the surgeon releases or repositions the epicanthal fold, removes skin only when indicated, and closes with fine sutures. The operative balance is crease exposure without excessive tension, visible scar, lacrimal-area injury, distortion, or over-opening.
6. Discharge and first night — This is generally outpatient surgery. Leave with an adult escort after sedation or anesthesia; ointment, swelling, and sedating medicines can temporarily impair vision and judgment. Do not drive, drink alcohol, or travel alone immediately afterward.
7. Clinic review in Korea — Attend the scheduled wound check and any suture removal. Report increasing pain, worsening vision, marked one-sided swelling, discharge, bleeding, or separation immediately rather than waiting for a remote response.
8. Overseas follow-up — Share clinic-requested photographs after returning home and retain the operative record for local clinicians. Delay elective revision until tissues stabilize: early contour assessment is usually more meaningful at 1–3 months, while scar maturation and the most reliable cosmetic result can take 6–12 months.

Alternatives to Upper Canthoplasty

The right alternative depends on what causes the upper-inner eyelid concern. Non-surgical camouflage avoids a permanent scar or change in medial contour, while surgery can address structural issues but brings recovery, scar, asymmetry, and ocular-surface risks.

Double Eyelid Surgery

• Best for — A poorly defined crease or a desired crease change when the medial fold is not the main source of coverage.
• Tradeoff — It can create or adjust a crease but does not necessarily release an epicanthal fold. Combine procedures only when examination supports both goals.
• Learn more — Double eyelid surgery.

Medial Epicanthoplasty

• Best for — A broader inner epicanthal fold and a goal of more substantial medial-corner exposure.
• Tradeoff — It can change the inner-eye contour more than an upper-only release, but also raises concern about visible scars, excessive caruncular exposure, and an unnatural result.
• Learn more — Epicanthoplasty.

Upper Blepharoplasty

• Best for — True excess upper-eyelid skin that obscures the crease.
• Tradeoff — Removing excess skin does not correct a fold-driven medial coverage pattern and is not a substitute for ptosis repair.
• Learn more — Upper blepharoplasty.

Ptosis Correction

• Best for — A low upper-lid margin from levator dysfunction that makes the eye opening look smaller or uneven.
• Tradeoff — It addresses lid height rather than the epicanthal fold. A crease-only or fold-only procedure can leave the underlying lid-margin problem unchanged.
• Learn more — Ptosis correction.

Revision Eye Surgery

• Best for — Prior canthoplasty or eyelid surgery with scar contracture, asymmetry, undercorrection, overcorrection, or problematic contour.
• Tradeoff — Revision surgery is more technically difficult because scar tissue and altered anatomy limit options.
• Learn more — Revision eye surgery.

How Can I Prepare for Upper Canthoplasty?

• Medical disclosure — Provide a complete list of prescription medicines, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, NSAIDs, vitamins, herbal products, allergies, nicotine exposure, dry-eye therapies, eye disease, contact-lens use, and previous eye or eyelid operations. Include LASIK, PRK, thyroid eye disease, and prior canthoplasty.
• Bleeding-risk medicines — Follow the operating surgeon’s timetable for aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, fish oil, vitamin E, and herbal supplements. Do not stop prescribed blood thinners without approval from the clinician who manages them.
• Nicotine and alcohol — Stop cigarettes, vaping, nicotine pouches, patches, and other nicotine products for the surgeon’s specified pre- and postoperative period. Avoid alcohol as instructed, particularly around anesthesia and medicines that increase bruising or sedation.
• Fasting — Follow the facility’s fasting instructions exactly when oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia is planned. Do not assume fasting is required for local anesthesia alone.
• Face and eye area — Arrive with a clean face. Avoid eye makeup, false lashes, lash extensions, and contact lenses unless the surgical team explicitly permits them; bring eyeglasses instead.
• Transport and accommodation — Arrange an adult escort for discharge and the first night after sedation. Stay close enough to return promptly for wound review or an urgent assessment.
• Travel buffer — Choose flexible flights and maintain enough time for suture care and surgeon clearance. Do not schedule demanding sightseeing, sauna visits, swimming, or long-distance travel during the early recovery period.

Travel note: Bring sunglasses, a written medication list, relevant eye and operative records, and enough room in the itinerary for an extended stay if a wound or vision issue needs assessment.

Confirm the treating doctor’s clinic-specific medication stops, fasting requirements, nicotine policy, and travel instructions; individualized instructions take precedence over general guidance.

Aftercare Advice

Protect the ocular surface and incision during the first week, and treat any change in vision or escalating eye pain as urgent.

• Cold compresses and elevation — Use cool compresses as directed during the first 24–48 hours and sleep with the head elevated to limit swelling. Do not place pressure directly on the incision.
• Drops, ointment, and incision care — Use prescribed antibiotic ointment, lubricating drops, or other medicines exactly as instructed. Keep the area clean, avoid rubbing or pulling the inner corners, and do not use makeup until the incision is closed and the surgeon approves it.
• Activity and heat — Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, bending, straining, swimming, hot tubs, saunas, and contact sports until cleared. These activities can worsen swelling, bleeding, and wound stress.
• Eyes and sun — Do not wear contact lenses until cleared. Wear sunglasses outdoors to reduce wind and light irritation; once the incision is healed, protect the surrounding skin with SPF 50 sunscreen while avoiding direct product contact with an unhealed wound.
• Expected healing — Bruising often improves in about 5–10 days, while swelling can last 2–4 weeks. Social presentability is often possible in 7–14 days, but redness, firmness, residual swelling, and early asymmetry can persist for weeks. Scar maturation and the most dependable contour assessment take 6–12 months.
• Urgent warning signs — Seek urgent in-person ophthalmic or emergency care for sudden or worsening vision loss, severe or escalating pain, new double vision, rapidly increasing one-sided swelling, a bulging eye, inability to open the eye, severe headache with nausea or vomiting, persistent bleeding, fever, pus-like discharge, worsening redness or warmth, or wound separation.

Follow the treating doctor’s instructions over this general guidance and contact the clinic promptly when healing appears abnormal.