Eye shape and lid position
The outer corner of the eye, the canthus, sets the shape of the eye and holds the lower lid against the eye. Canthal surgery tightens or reshapes it and corrects lids that turn out, turn in or pull down.
Eye shape and lid position procedures
Each page covers what the operation treats, how it is done, the evidence, the risks and the recovery, with a PubMed link on every claim.
Canthoplasty and canthopexy
Canthopexy and canthoplasty anchor the outer corner of the eyelids (the lateral canthus) to the orbital rim so the lower lid stays against the eye and keeps its shape. Surgeons add them to lower eyelid and midface…
Fox eye and canthal tilt surgery
Canthal tilt is the angle of the line connecting the inner and outer corners of the eye; raising the outer corner produces the upswept look patients call "fox eye," "cat eye," or "almond eye," achieved with lateral…
Lower eyelid retraction, ectropion and entropion
Lower eyelid retraction is a lid margin that sits too low, exposing sclera below the cornea; ectropion is a lid margin that turns outward; entropion is a lid margin that turns inward against the eye. In adults, all…
Eyelid surgery in thyroid eye disease
Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune orbital disease, usually tied to Graves' hyperthyroidism, that swells the eyelids, retracts them, and pushes the eyes forward. Surgery (orbital decompression, eyelid retraction…
Eye shape and lid position research by topic
PubMed papers tagged by topic, newest first on each topic page.
Ectropion
Ectropion is a lower lid that turns outward, away from the eye, repaired by tightening the lid horizontally.
Entropion
Entropion is a lid that turns inward, so the lashes rub the eye, repaired by rotating the lid margin back out.
Lid retraction
Lid retraction is an upper or lower lid pulled too high or too low, exposing white above or below the iris.
Lagophthalmos
Lagophthalmos is a lid that will not close fully, exposing the eye to drying and injury during sleep or blinking.
Canthoplasty and canthopexy
Canthoplasty and canthopexy tighten or reset the outer corner of the eye to support a loose lower lid.
Thyroid eye disease
Thyroid eye disease swells the muscles and fat behind the eye, pushing the eye forward and pulling the lids out of position.