The Eyelid Owner's Manual

Photo Essay

Caution: Actual surgery photos

Lateral Canthoplasty
Photographed from Start to Finish

For details and discussion on canthoplasty,
refer to the
Insider's Guide to Blepharoplasty.

Note: Canthoplasty may be performed using a variety of different surgical approaches. The version shown here is a modified tarsal strip resuspension
performed in conjunction with upper and lower blepharoplasty.

Surgery performed by Dr. Frank Meronk

(Patient has undergone upper eyelid blepharoplasty
and transconjunctival fat removal just prior to these photos )

1. Demonstration of excessive lid laxity	2. Skin incision down to muscle
3. Full thickness eyelid cut at lateral canthus	4. Suture placed through exposed tarsal plate after trimming away surrounding soft tissue
5. Exposure on bony rim and lining (yellow); suture placed through periosteum	6. Suture pulled to desired level to reshape and reinforce
7. Suture attaching incised eyelid to new position at canthus	8. Excess skin to be removed
Just Before	Immediately After
Lower eyelid has been repositioned at a higher level with improved shape (less rounding) and firmly supported to allow for necessary skin removal without inducing eyelid retraction. Note significant improvement in lid/cheek contour.
	Canthoplasty is most often performed along with other procedures (such as transconjunctival fat removal/repositioning, chemical peel, SOOF lift, etc.) as part of a more comprehensive lower eyelid rejuvenation. Skin is not removed in all cases.
2 Months After (upper and lower blepharoplasty with canthoplasty/skin pinch)
Canthoplasty - Canthopexy: What's the Difference? (video)