Is Lateral Canthoplasty Dangerous?

one of the first things to understand is that you want to see a surgeon who is experienced in reconstructive procedures of the eyelid as a significant part of their practice.  Cathoplasty and canthopexy is often offered by surgeons who rarely perform it in for the wrong reasons. The lateral canthus though small in size and depth is anatomically complex. Another thing to understand that's very important is that this procedure doesn't really reshape the eyes. It is a reconstructive maneuver that is most appropriately used to improve function of the eyelids and the lower eyelid in particular. Any change in shape of the eyes can be short-lived particularly in young healthy people trying to make a cosmetic change in the appearance of their eyes shape. In our older patients or patients with scarring from surgery, age-related issues, or injury the appearance of the eye does change but most importantly the function improves.

Unfortunately this is a surgical technique that is often used for the purposes that you're asking for but the results can be underwhelming and in some cases very poor when performed by an experienced surgeons delivering this technique for the wrong reasons.

You definitely want to stick with a seasoned Oculoplastic surgeon or Facial Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in this procedure and with plenty of photo evidence of actually having performed it in the past.

Best of luck

Chase Lay, MD

The lateral canthus is a very complex and unforgiving structure.

Lateral Canthoplasty is not Dangerous but it is very easy to get it wrong. Seek a Surgeon who is experienced in this area.