Is a Canthopexy procedure permanent? (photos)

Question

I don’t mean in terms of the ageing process, as I know most procedures are not with this in mind. But I mean as a young person (20s), is this procedure something that would last a long time? I have some lower eyelid scleral show that I would like correcting, but don’t want to go down the more invasive route of a canthoplasy. I have attached an image of my eyes — what I want is only a very slight tightening of the lower lid. Many thanks.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

On the picture that you have submitted, I don't see scleral show, but some lateral bowing of your lower lid margin. A lateral canthopexy could correct your issue. It is a permanent procedure. This means that the result should last many years.

Derek Fletcher, MD · Answer

Canthopexy procedures are best suited for supporting the lower lid for a relatively short period of time. The most common scenario is to support the lower lid as it goes through swelling and inflammation following lower lid surgery. In this context, the pexy helps the lid withstand stresses that would otherwise cause the lid to experience malposition or ectropion. The limitations of a pexy procedure follow from the fact that, even with permanent sutures, the soft tissue stretch around the canthopexy stitch with time. Canthoplasty results tend to last longer because the lid itself is dimensionally changed.

Hugo Higa, MD · Answer

Looking at your photo, I would be hesitant to do any tightening of the lower eyelid. What can happen is the eyeball can cross over the tightened lower lid and bulge out. If anything, you may want to consider an upward shift of the lateral lower eyelid to reduce the show beneath. These surgeries do tend to be temporary over time because of the normal stretching of our eyelids over time. Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Hugo

Cheers,

Hugo

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Is a Canthopexy procedure permanent? (photos)

Answers (3)

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