The eyes play a significant role in determining a person's impression, and even a difference of just 1mm can drastically alter the atmosphere or feeling. As more people seek eye surgery that goes beyond simple double eyelid surgery to enlarge the eyes themselves and create a clear and attractive eye shape, the demand for epicanthoplasty (eye widening surgery) is also increasing. This is because epicanthoplasty is a method that can be applied when double eyelid surgery alone is insufficient or when one wishes to make the eyes look larger and more open overall.

In particular, more than half of Koreans have single eyelids and epicanthal folds. This is why epicanthal fold surgery is often performed in conjunction with double eyelid surgery. When epicanthal folds are present, the eyes appear far apart, small, and constricted, and they also make the eyes look smaller than they actually are.

Epicanthoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes the epicanthal fold characteristic of Mongoloid races, including Koreans. By eliminating the fold at the inner corner of the eye, it creates a refreshing effect that makes small, constricted eyes appear more open and open. If double eyelid surgery is performed without epicanthoplasty while epicanthal folds are present, the result will not be aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, performing epicanthoplasty in conjunction with double eyelid surgery allows for a more precise expression of the double eyelid line, making it effective for creating the desired eye shape.

Epicanthoplasty is performed as follows. It involves incising the skin forming the epicanthal fold to adjust its position, and then excising the remaining skin. When performed in conjunction with double eyelid surgery, the incision line is determined by considering the length of the eye, the shape of the double eyelid, and the location of the resulting scar. It is true that epicanthoplasty makes the eyes appear wider horizontally and reduces the distance between the eyebrows. However, there are points to be cautious about during the procedure. If the eye is opened too excessively, the tear ducts may become visible, scarring may occur, or the eyes may appear harsher; therefore, an appropriate amount must be selected to complement the overall facial features. Additionally, it should be kept in mind that when performing epicanthoplasty, the inner corner of the eye should be created at a gentle and soft angle rather than a sharp one to achieve a non-sharp eye shape.

In addition, there are many cases where patients wish to undergo only epicanthoplasty without double eyelid surgery; however, since epicanthoplasty alone cannot make the eyes appear larger, it is recommended to combine it with other eye surgeries such as double eyelid surgery or eye shape correction. For those with small eyes, combining epicanthoplasty with double eyelid surgery can lengthen the horizontal length of the eye and improve the eye shape, thereby completing a complete transformation of one's image.

When undergoing eyelid widening surgery, it is important to receive a proper diagnosis and surgery from a specialist with sufficient experience and skill. Otherwise, side effects such as inflammation or swelling of the eyes may occur.

Dr. Kim Hong-jin of 1mm Plastic Surgery advised, “When undergoing epicanthoplasty, you must have a precise understanding of the eye shape you desire,” adding, “Surgery must be performed under the accurate diagnosis of a specialist to achieve a satisfactory result without the need for revision or restoration surgery.”