Cosmetic Lateral Canthoplasty and its potential complications
Lateral canthoplasty is a common cosmetic procedure whereby the outer corner of the eye is split to widen the horizontal aperture of the eye. It can be performed together with double eyelid surgery and medial epicanthoplasty to achieve longer and wider eye that makes the eye appear larger, wider and more attractive.
However, if not properly performed can give rise to complications. One of the complications that may arise from lateral canthoplasty is lacrimal ductule fistula, as seen in this patient. She had the lateral canthoplasty surgery done elsewhere a couple of months ago. She was referred to me for uncontrollable tearing. She started tearing a few weeks after the surgery. It has become a nuisance as she needs to wipe her eyes frequently and her eyeliner would not stay and smudge.
The treatment is fistulectomy.