Longer-Looking Eyes
By revealing more of the inner eye corner, the eyes often appear longer and more defined.
1mm Plastic Surgery · Gangnam, Seoul
Epicanthoplasty in Gangnam Seoul Korea
Epicanthoplasty is a specialized eye surgery that reshapes the inner corner of the eyes by reducing or releasing the epicanthal fold, allowing the eyes to appear longer, more open, and better defined.
1mm
Seoul
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Ghost surgery. Your surgeon is disclosed before every operation.
1 : 1
A dedicated anesthesia team for each patient, through recovery.
ASPS
Surgeons who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
In short
Epicanthoplasty is a specialized eye surgery that reshapes the inner corner of the eyes by reducing or releasing the epicanthal fold, allowing the eyes to appear longer, more open, and better defined. At 1mm Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, Seoul, Korea, epicanthoplasty is customized according to each patient's eye anatomy, intercanthal distance, eyelid shape, and aesthetic goals. The procedure is commonly combined with double eyelid surgery or ptosis correction to create balanced, natural-looking eyes while preserving facial harmony. Epicanthoplasty can lengthen the visible inner portion of the eye and reduce the appearance of a prominent epicanthal fold.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Eon Rok Do, board-certified plastic surgeon · Updated October 2026
Overview
What Is Epicanthoplasty?
Epicanthoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to modify the epicanthal fold, the skin fold located at the inner corner of the eye.
The procedure may help:
- Lengthen the eyes horizontally
- Reveal the inner eye corner
- Improve eye definition
- Reduce the appearance of wide-set eyes
- Enhance double eyelid surgery results
- Improve eye symmetry
- Create a brighter appearance
The goal is not simply to enlarge the eyes but to improve overall eye proportions and facial balance.
Overview
What Is an Epicanthal Fold?
An epicanthal fold is a fold of skin that partially covers the inner corner of the eye.
It is common among many East Asian individuals and may:
- Cover the inner canthus
- Make the eyes appear shorter
- Reduce visibility of the inner eye corner
- Affect the appearance of the eyelid crease
The severity of the fold varies significantly between individuals.
Candidates
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may be a candidate if you have:
- Prominent epicanthal folds
- Short horizontal eye length
- Wide-set eye appearance
- Hidden inner eye corners
- Desire for more defined eyes
- Double eyelid surgery planned or previously performed
- Eye asymmetry
A detailed consultation helps determine whether epicanthoplasty alone or in combination with other procedures would provide the best outcome.
Results
Benefits of Epicanthoplasty
Better Eye Proportions
Patients frequently notice:
- Improved eye balance
- Better facial harmony
- Enhanced symmetry
More Defined Double Eyelids
Epicanthoplasty is often combined with double eyelid surgery because reducing medial skin tension may improve crease definition and longevity.
Brighter Appearance
The eyes often appear:
- More open
- More expressive
- More youthful
- More refreshed
Procedure
Types of Epicanthoplasty
Medial Epicanthoplasty
The most common form of epicanthoplasty.
It focuses on:
- Releasing the epicanthal fold
- Exposing the inner eye corner
- Increasing horizontal eye length
- Improving eye proportions
Medial epicanthoplasty is frequently performed together with double eyelid surgery.
Revision Epicanthoplasty
Revision surgery may be performed for patients who have:
- Visible scars
- Excessive correction
- Insufficient correction
- Asymmetry
- Unsatisfactory previous results
Advanced revision techniques may restore natural eye contours while minimizing scar visibility.
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Epicanthoplasty and Double Eyelid Surgery
Many patients combine epicanthoplasty with:
- Double eyelid surgery
- Ptosis correction
- Eye shape revision
Benefits may include:
- Improved eyelid crease visibility
- Better crease stability
- Enhanced eye definition
- More harmonious eye proportions
For suitable candidates, combining procedures often provides more balanced and natural results.
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Epicanthoplasty vs Canthoplasty
Epicanthoplasty
Primarily addresses:
- Inner eye corner
- Epicanthal folds
- Medial eye length
Canthoplasty
Primarily addresses:
- Outer eye corner
- Eye shape
- Lateral eye length
- Eyelid support
Some patients benefit from combining both procedures for comprehensive eye contouring.
Real result
Before & after.
A canthoplasty result at 1mm Plastic Surgery, Gangnam. Every case is planned around the patient's own anatomy.
Published with patient consent. Individual results vary with anatomy, healing and the technique used.
All before & after photos Before
After
Procedure
How Is Epicanthoplasty Performed?
The procedure generally includes:
- Eye and facial analysis
- Customized design planning
- Local anesthesia or sedation
- Precise release of the epicanthal fold
- Tissue redraping and contour refinement
- Fine closure techniques
- Scar-minimizing suturing
Modern techniques focus on minimizing visible scarring while preserving natural eye contours.
Recovery
Recovery After Epicanthoplasty
Days 1–3
- Mild swelling
- Bruising
- Tightness
Week 1
- Initial improvement
- Reduced swelling
Weeks 2–4
- Better eye definition
- Continued healing
Months 1–6
- Scar maturation
- Tissue stabilization
- Final refinement
Recovery varies depending on the surgical technique and whether additional procedures are performed.
Safety
Will There Be Visible Scars?
Modern epicanthoplasty techniques are designed to minimize visible scarring.
Factors that influence scar quality include:
- Surgical technique
- Individual healing characteristics
- Proper postoperative care
With appropriate planning and healing, scars typically become significantly less noticeable over time.
Why 1mm
Why Choose 1mm Plastic Surgery?
Patients choose 1mm Plastic Surgery because of:
- Specialized eye surgery expertise
- Advanced epicanthoplasty techniques
- Customized eye design
- Natural aesthetic philosophy
- Scar-conscious surgical planning
- Revision surgery experience
- International patient services
- Comprehensive postoperative care
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a coordinator will reply in English.
What is epicanthoplasty?
Epicanthoplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces or reshapes the epicanthal fold at the inner corner of the eye to create a more open and defined appearance.
What is an epicanthal fold?
An epicanthal fold is a skin fold that partially covers the inner corner of the eye and is commonly seen in many East Asian individuals.
Can epicanthoplasty make my eyes look larger?
Yes. By exposing more of the inner eye corner and increasing visible eye length, the eyes often appear larger and brighter.
Is epicanthoplasty commonly combined with double eyelid surgery?
Yes. Many patients combine both procedures to improve eye definition and eyelid crease aesthetics.
Can epicanthoplasty correct wide-set eyes?
It can visually reduce the appearance of wide-set eyes by revealing more of the inner eye corners and improving proportions.
What is revision epicanthoplasty?
Revision epicanthoplasty is performed to correct scarring, asymmetry, overcorrection, undercorrection, or unsatisfactory previous results.
Will there be visible scars?
Modern techniques focus on minimizing scars, and most scars become less noticeable as healing progresses.
How long does recovery take?
Most swelling improves within several weeks, while final scar maturation and refinement continue for several months.
Can epicanthoplasty be reversed?
Certain revision techniques may partially restore the appearance of the epicanthal fold in selected cases.
Can international patients undergo epicanthoplasty in Korea?
Yes. Many international patients travel to Gangnam, Seoul, Korea for specialized epicanthoplasty and eye contouring procedures.
Reviewed by
Dr. Eon Rok Do
Representative Director of 1mm Plastic Surgery and board-certified plastic surgeon. Every operation at 1mm is performed by the surgeon named in your consultation and surgery record — no ghost or proxy surgery. Full surgeon profiles · English-speaking eyelid surgeon in Seoul
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