Cathoplasty is a surgical procedure to enhance the lower eyelids. This treatment creates a fierce ‘cat eye’ appearance by honing the outer corners of the eyes to intense slants. The primary objective of canthoplasty is to fortify the tissues around the external corner of the eyelids so that it can better bear the lower eyelid.

Having a canthoplasty procedure also offers other aesthetic and preventive benefits. It minimizes the probability of acquiring the common surgical problems that are associated with making skin incisions along the lower blepharoplasty. This is the cosmetic or functional treatment for eyelid reshaping. Canthoplasty is also used for people who are undergoing a paralysis that has resulted in deformed eyelids. It is a corrective treatment for drooping eyelids that may have also been caused by prior eye operations.

Canthoplasty is also known via other surgical terms such as lateral retinacular suspension, interior retinacular suspension, and tarsal strip suspension. However, the term canthoplasty remains to be the most popularly used in the cosmetic surgery circle.

It is basically aimed at extending the palperbal fissure, the area between the opening of the eyes and the eyelids. It is reinforced to extend through the canthus, which is junction of the eyelids. This tightening procedure is done to creates a more structured and alert look along the eyes.

The exact canthoplasty method differs according to the need of each patient. The general objective, however, is to separate the lower canthal tendon from its surround tissues. Canthoplasty is done by removing a canthal tendon along the side of the orbital rims. The removed tendon is replaced by a synthetic implant. The ligaments and muscles around the eyes are tightened, consequently reshaping the eyes.

Precision is imperative in the performance of canthoplasty. Incisions are done along the natural folds of the eyelids. This is to ensure that the consequent scarring will be as least obvious as possible.

A related treatment to canthoplasty is called canthoplexy. In the latter procedure, the same surgical steps are done. However, canthoplexy is carefully done without altering the shape of the eyes. It is specifically performed to those who need restorative treatments to sagging or deformed lower eyelid.

A canthoplasty procedure takes a few hours as it entails meticulous and accurate steps. The number of incisions depends on the degree of skin sagging of the target area. For minor sagging conditions, plastic surgeons suggest having a canthoplexy over a canthoplasty.