The Truth about Canthopexy and Canthoplasty

To the Land of Nods (Credit: mayr)

If you’ve got sagging lower eyelids – eyelids that are too low or droopy because of prior eyelid surgery, aging or paralysis, then canthoplasty and canthopexy can bring some relief to you.

Canthoplasty and canthopexy means the tightening of the ligament and/or muscle that support the outer corner of the eyelid. A canthoplasty reshapes the eye, while a canthopexy supports without changing the shape of the eye. This procedure corrects the pulling down of the lower lid. Canthoplasty can also be used to create the much sought after cat eye look with an upwardly slanted outer eyelid corner.

Canthopexy is carried out by tightening the lower canthal tendon with a permanent internal suture. In canthoplasty, the tendon is divided, moved and tightened. It is usually performed through a small incision in the outer corner of the eyelids. It is carried out under local anesthesia, with sedation or under general anesthesia.

You may have bruising and swelling for a few days after the surgery and your eyes may feel dry for sometime. It’s a good idea to take 1-2 days of leave from work for the surgery.

After canthoplasty/canthopexy, you will have a new tightening and elevation of the lower lids, and improved youthfulness of the lower eyelids and eyes.