Epicanthoplasty in Korea: ₩800,000–1.8M (US$590–1,300)

Why KBW can suggest a clinic

interpreters: 88
sessions interpreted: 2,800+
partner clinics: 1

36 of the interpreters work in English. Sessions as recorded by November 2026.

No fee from you: Clinics pay KBW a commission, within the government cap. The clinic's price stays its own.
Since 2021: Registered Foreign Patient Facilitator No. A-2024-01-01-5755 (Seoul Metropolitan Government).

Clinics we can arrange

This partner clinic has Epicanthoplasty (inner corner) on its own menu. We arrange your interpreter and collect your quote.

Ilumi Plastic SurgerySinsa · Plastic surgeryKBW helps in English · On Gangnam-daero · Epicanthoplasty (inner corner) on the clinic's menuAlso on its menu: Rhinoplasty, Double eyelid surgery, Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone)

What to know

Epicanthoplasty changes the small skin fold over the inner corner of the eye. It makes the eye look longer and brings the eyes visually closer, and it is often done with double eyelid surgery. How much to open is a small decision with a visible effect. “Canthoplasty” usually means the outer corner, a different surgery, so check which you are asking about.

Common methods

Z-plasty (including Park-style)

Moves small skin flaps to release the fold

Widely used in Korea. The design leaves a small scar near the inner corner, and how visible it is differs by person.

V-Y or other flap designs

Advances skin toward the nose

Chosen for some fold types. Ask why they use it for you.

Under the skin, with eyelid surgery

Softens the fold through the crease cut

No separate scar at the corner, but it usually does not fully remove the fold.

Revision

Corrects too much or too little opening

Possible, using other flap designs. It cannot simply be undone, so plan the first surgery carefully.

How much is epicanthoplasty in Korea?

Rough range from public sources

About ₩800,000–1,800,000

≈ US$590–1,300, at a recent exchange rate

Rough range from a few public price guides, read November 2026. It varies by clinic; your written quote decides.

The range above is a rough guide from public sources, not any clinic's price, and few sources publish it. It may be priced alone or added to eyelid surgery, and each clinic's written quote is the number that counts. Send a photo to start.

What changes the price

Alone, or added to double eyelid surgery
The method and how complex your fold is
A first surgery or a revision (revision usually costs more)

A good quote lists

Surgery and anesthesia
Method, by name
Medicine and dressings
Stitch removal
Follow-up visits
VAT

Recovery, day by day

Day 0: About 30–60 minutes, usually under local anesthesia. Cold packs for the first 2–3 days, with your head raised.
Days 1–14: Tearing from swelling is common and usually eases within a couple of weeks.
Days 5–7: Stitches come out at the clinic. Many people return to work this first week with shaded glasses.
Days 7–10: People usually plan the flight home after the surgeon's check.
2 weeks: Vigorous exercise usually restarts now, if your surgeon agrees.
Several months: The scar can stay red or firm for months and fades slowly. Ask your surgeon about scar care.

Timeline from the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeWiki, which notes care differs by surgeon. Stitch day from clinic practice. Your surgeon's schedule comes first.

Typical ranges from schedules our partner clinics give visitors. Your doctor sets your own plan — general information, not medical advice.

Good to know before you book

Ask to see the amount on your own face

A small change at the corner shows clearly. Ask the surgeon to mark or demonstrate where the new corner will sit, in front of a mirror.

Check it is a separate line

When added to eyelid surgery, check that the quote names epicanthoplasty and states its own price.

Tell them about keloids

If you scar thickly, say so at the first message. Ask what they would do differently and about scar care after you go home.

Glasses and shaded lenses

Wear glasses, not contact lenses, during recovery. Shaded glasses help you get around while the corner is swollen.

The VAT refund has ended

The 10% VAT refund for foreign patients ended on December 31, 2025. Check that your quote includes VAT.

Before you fly

Send a clear front photo of both eyes, looking straight ahead.
Bring records of any past eyelid surgery.
Tell the clinic about keloids or thick scars, dry eye and contact lens use.
List your medicines and supplements. Ask which to stop and when, including blood thinners.
Book a return date you can change, after the stitch visit.

How to choose a clinic

Look for

1The surgeon is named in writing, with their specialty, such as plastic surgery or ophthalmology.
2You meet that surgeon before surgery, not only a consultant.
3They grade your fold and tell you why you do or do not need this surgery.
4They explain the scar they expect and where it will sit.
5They explain how they check both sides match. Asymmetry is common.
6The revision terms and the plan for problems after you fly home are in writing.

What to ask at the consultation

1Do I need this, or would double eyelid surgery alone do it?
2Which method do you use on a fold like mine, and why?
3Where will the scar sit, and how long does it usually stay red?
4How much of the pink inner corner will show?
5If the eyes look too close or the fold returns, what can you do?
6When can I fly, and who checks me first?

Questions people ask

How much is epicanthoplasty in Korea?

A few public price guides put it at roughly ₩800,000–1,800,000. It may be priced alone or added to eyelid surgery, and revision usually costs more. You see the written quote before you fly; the clinic confirms the final price after your consultation.

Which epicanthoplasty clinic in Korea is best for me?

We do not name a best clinic. Korean medical advertising law bans that claim, and the right clinic depends on your fold, method and budget. Tell us those and a coordinator helps you find the right one.

How long should I stay in Korea?

Plan 7–10 days. Stitches come out around days 5–7, and people usually plan the flight home after the surgeon's check.

Will it leave a scar?

Yes, every method here except the under-the-skin one leaves a scar at the inner corner. Reports differ on how visible it is, and thick scars do happen. Ask your surgeon where yours would sit and how it is cared for.

Can it be reversed?

It cannot simply be undone. Surgeons can revise too much opening using other flap designs, and there is a published series on this, but scar tissue limits it. Plan the amount carefully the first time.

Is epicanthoplasty in Korea safe?

Every surgery has risks, including scarring, uneven corners, tearing, injury to the tear drainage sac, infection and a fold that returns. No clinic can rule them out. Check the surgeon and follow-up plan on this page.

Why are there no reviews or before-and-after photos here?

Korean medical advertising law bars treatment reviews and before-and-after photos in this kind of advertising. Ask a coordinator what you want to know, and ask the clinic at your consultation.

Will someone interpret at the clinic?

Yes. Tell us when you ask and we arrange an interpreter for your visits.

General information, not medical advice. Your doctor decides what suits you.