Canthoplasty reshapes and tightens the outer corner of the eye by releasing and re-anchoring the tendon that supports the lower eyelid. It began as a reconstructive operation for drooping lower lids and is now also requested for a lifted, almond-shaped eye.
Small changes at the corner of the eye are very visible, so conservative surgery by an oculoplastic surgeon matters. The popular fox-eye thread lift is a different, temporary treatment.
What Canthoplasty involves
Through a small incision at the outer corner, often within a natural crease, the surgeon detaches the lateral canthal tendon, shortens or repositions it and fixes it to the inner rim of the eye socket at a slightly higher point. In a canthopexy, a gentler version, the tendon is tightened with a suture without being cut.
Who is a good candidate for Canthoplasty?
An eye examination comes first, including how well the lower lid springs back and how the eyes are lubricated.
- A lower eyelid that droops, pulls away from the eye or shows white beneath the iris
- Downturned outer corners giving a tired or sad look
- Support needed during lower eyelid surgery to prevent the lid being pulled down
- Realistic expectations of a subtle change
It is usually not the right choice if:
- Dry eye disease that is not controlled
- Prominent eyes, where tightening can make the lid slip under the globe
- Expecting a dramatic change in eye shape from photographs
- Previous eyelid surgery with scarring, without specialist assessment
Technique options
- Lateral canthopexy: suture tightening without cutting the tendon; lighter, less lasting
- Lateral canthoplasty: tendon released, shortened and re-fixed
- With lower blepharoplasty: the most common combination
- Thread fox-eye lift: a non-surgical, temporary alternative with its own risks
What happens during your treatment
The operation takes 60 to 90 minutes under local anaesthesia with sedation. You go home the same day with cold compresses and lubricating drops.
Preparing for your trip
Plan for 6 to 7 days in Istanbul. Your surgeon reviews photographs and your medical history before you book, and you meet in person the day before surgery for examination, marking and consent with a professional interpreter.
- Stop smoking and nicotine at least four weeks before and after surgery; it is the single biggest avoidable cause of wound problems
- Tell the team about every medicine and supplement you take; blood thinners, some herbal products and hormone treatment may need to be paused on your doctor's advice
- Arrange for someone to travel with you or to be reachable, and keep the first days at home free of work and lifting
- Book a changeable return flight; your surgeon confirms when you are fit to fly
Recovery and results
Swelling and bruising last one to two weeks, and the outer corner can look over-tight at first. Stitches come out at about a week. Eyes may feel dry or gritty for some weeks, so drops are used regularly. The final shape settles over about three months.
- Back to everyday activity: 7 to 10 days
- When results show: Settled at about 3 months
- How long they last: Long-lasting; canthopexy relaxes sooner
Safety, risks and revision policy
Discuss these with your surgeon:
- Asymmetry between the two eyes
- Overcorrection, giving an unnatural slant or a rounded, narrowed eye opening
- Relapse as tissues relax
- Dry eye, watering or swelling of the membrane over the eye
- Visible scar or a small web at the outer corner
Every written proposal arranged through Clinic-Y states what the clinic covers if a correction is needed. Ask for it before you book, not after.
Cost of Canthoplasty in Türkiye
Clinic-Y does not publish a single price for Canthoplasty, because the honest figure depends on your case. What moves it:
- The surgeon's experience and the technique your anatomy needs
- Type of anaesthesia and the length of the operation
- Nights in hospital and whether another procedure is combined
- What the package includes: tests, garments, medication, hotel, transfers, interpreter and follow-up
Send your photographs or reports and you receive written, all-inclusive proposals from suitable teams, side by side. Reviewing your case is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canthoplasty the same as fox-eye surgery?
Fox eye is a look, not an operation. It may involve canthoplasty, a temporal brow lift, threads or a combination. Threads last months; surgery lasts years.
Who should perform it?
An oculoplastic surgeon or a plastic surgeon with a specific eyelid practice. The lower lid protects the eye, so function comes before shape.
Can it be reversed?
Partly, with revision surgery, but it is difficult. That is the reason for a conservative first operation.