Excessive Canthoplasty Can Lead to Entropion as a Side Effect

[Medical Today = Reporter Kim Jun-su] The most common surgery performed in plastic surgery is eye surgery. To make the eyes look clearer with double eyelids, create a more open look, and enlarge their size, canthoplasty can be performed together.

Among these, canthoplasty can bring changes to the shape, length, and size of the eyes. Even small changes can cause significant differences in the eyes, creating shifts in one's overall impression and atmosphere, leading many to undergo the procedure alone. However, caution is required because excessive execution can lead to canthoplasty side effects.

Canthoplasty is categorized into epicanthoplasty (front), upper canthoplasty, lateral canthoplasty (outer/back), and lower canthoplasty depending on the surgical site. Among these, a representative side effect that can occur due to lateral-lower canthoplasty is 'entropion'. This is a condition in which the eyelashes, which normally grow outward, curl inward and irritate the cornea.

As a result, if the cornea is continuously irritated, it can lead to frequent tearing, photophobia (glare), bloodshot eyes, and in severe cases, keratitis.

The reason side effects of lateral-lower canthoplasty occur is that the procedure was performed excessively without considering the characteristics of the eye shape. It is important to adequately analyze each patient's facial shape, eye shape, length, and position, and perform the surgery while considering harmony with the existing facial features.

▲ Director Kim Sung-hoon (Photo provided by SH Plastic Surgery)

Opening the eyes more through canthoplasty does not necessarily make them unconditionally larger and clearer; excessive execution can cause visible scars and expose the conjunctiva, requiring another visit to the hospital. Therefore, to prevent such side effects, the design must be tailored to each individual's eye condition during the primary surgery, and if side effects occur, canthoplasty reconstruction must be performed.

In cases where revision surgery is performed due to entropion, symptoms can be improved through canthoplasty reconstruction or by lifting the eyelid with double eyelid surgery to turn the eyelashes back upward. Because the severity of symptoms varies from person to person, one must choose a medical institution that analyzes the cause of failure more closely and provides thorough post-operative care.

Director Kim Sung-hoon of SH Plastic Surgery advised, "If side effects such as entropion occur—affecting not only scars from canthoplasty but also eye functions—a customized revision surgery tailored to the individual's eye condition and concerns must be performed," adding, "One should choose a clinic where a board-certified plastic surgeon with rich clinical experience in canthoplasty, revision surgery, and reconstruction performs the procedure based on skilled techniques and high safety."

[Press Report] Excessive Canthoplasty, Causes Side Effect of Entropion

Source: Medical Today https://mdtoday.co.kr/news/view/1065590896812899