The shape of the eye is affected by numerous anatomic factors. One of these factors is the position of the inner and outer corners of the eye. Various eye shapes exist and the position of the outer corner of the eye relative to the horizontal position of the pupil and the inner corner of the eye is one of the main difference between them.
One desired form of aesthetic eye reshaping surgery is where the eye has an upward lateral tilt, where the outer corner is slightly upswept and higher than the inner corner. It is generally considered the most desired shape of the eye and the most versatile for any type of facial look.
Lateral eye reshaping surgery focuses on changing the position of the outer corner of the eye and the lower eyelid. To achieve this eye shape surgical procedures such as lateral canthoplasty, spacer grafts, tear trough implants and upper blepharoplasty are all options to be used based on the patient’s eyelid and orbital bone anatomy.
The lateral canthoplasty is the one procedure that is most commonly associated with creating the sweeping upward lateral eye look. This is understandable since lifting up the outer eye corner can be a major component of making that change.
There are a variety of lateral canthoplasty proccedures of which the choice depends on how strong or amount of uplift that is needed. The strongest and most stable type is the double hole lateral canthoplasty technique. By drilling two holes just below the frontozygomatic suture, a transosseous suture can be used for firm fixation of the new lateral canthal position.
The double hole lateral canthoplasty is a powerful technique. It is easy to have a large amount of pull creating an overtightened look. Its benefit is that it provides a stable point of fixation to prevent relapse, not to create a tight overpulled look.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana