Lateral Canthal Reconstruction Case (Side Effects After Lower Canthoplasty)

Lateral canthal reconstruction (reconstructive lateral canthoplasty) is performed when, after lateral or lower canthoplasty, the outer corner of the eye gapes open,

the tarsal plate pulls away from the eyeball, and the red tissue inside becomes exposed as a side effect;

it is a surgery that corrects these changes and restores the outer corner to normal.

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It is therefore technically demanding and requires considerable experience, but once the surgery is completed well,

substantial functional and aesthetic benefits can be obtained.

A woman in her 40s had undergone lateral and lower canthoplasty 20 months earlier but did not feel that her eyes had become much larger,

so she reportedly had the same surgery again at another clinic 8 months ago.

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Afterward her eyes became dry and her vision blurred and declined, which she found distressing; when she came to us and was examined,

the outer corners were gaping open in a “C” shape,

and the lower tarsal plate did not rise toward the outer corner but sagged horizontally.

The right outer corner was open wider, and the “C”-shaped deformity was also more pronounced.

After surgery, the lower tarsal plate rose slightly at the outer corner,

the “C”-shaped deformity disappeared, and more of the white of the eye was covered.

Before the reversal surgery, the gaping of the outer corner was obvious and the lower tarsal plate looked horizontal,

but afterward the lower tarsal plate rose slightly at the outer corner and also became taut.

Before the reversal surgery, the lower tarsal plate dropped near the outer corner, leaving the lateral canthus (outer corner of the eye) open;

afterward, the lower tarsal plate rose slightly, and the open lateral canthus (outer corner of the eye) closed together and became pointed.

In the left eye as well, the outer corner had been open and the lower tarsal plate had run horizontally;

after the reversal surgery, the outer corner has closed together and the lower tarsal plate slants upward.