2026-07-21
What is Ptosis Correction Surgery?
Ptosis correction surgery, often called 'nunmaegyojung' in Korean, is a common term in plastic surgery, though not a medical one. It primarily aims to improve the aesthetic appearance of the eyes by increasing pupil exposure, often derived from medical ptosis correction techniques.
Hello. This is a consultation with someone who came in needing ptosis correction surgery. The term ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’ (눈매교정수술) is frequently heard in plastic surgery. Let me first clarify that this is not a medical term. The dictionary definition of ‘nunmae’ (눈매) is the shape of the eye. Does this mean that any surgery that corrects the shape of the eye is what we refer to as ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’?
Perhaps the biggest factor influencing the aesthetic shaping of the eye is the amount of pupil exposure. While there are other factors, for Koreans, the shape of the eye is significantly affected by the double eyelid crease and the exposure of the black pupil and white sclera.
Many plastic surgeons have experience with corrective surgery for blepharoptosis (droopy eyelids), which is a medical condition. They expose the levator palpebrae superioris muscle (upper eyelid lifting muscle) from the skin, then resect or plicate its fascia or muscle to shorten it, thereby adjusting the strength of the eyelid lift. Depending on the residual strength of the levator muscle, they may advance only the fascia, resect and suture the muscle, or, in cases where muscle strength is almost absent, connect it to the forehead muscle to enable the eye to open. Through these methods, pupil exposure is increased, which improves the visual field for patients with blepharoptosis. To others, this makes sleepy-looking eyes appear clearer and more defined. At this time, to expose the muscle, the skin is incised horizontally along the lash line. Instead of simply suturing this incision, a double eyelid crease is created to conceal the scar, which also provides an additional aesthetic benefit. However, some men or elderly patients who do not wish for a change in their impression due to a double eyelid may opt for simple suturing without creating a double eyelid crease.
Through these cases of blepharoptosis correction, it was confirmed that increasing pupil exposure improves blurry, sleepy-looking eyes into clear, defined eyes. This led to the adoption of the mildest form of blepharoptosis correction methods for aesthetic purposes in individuals without blepharoptosis. To distinguish this surgical technique from blepharoptosis correction surgery, some plastic surgeons began calling it ‘nunmaegyojung surgery,’ and it gradually became as common as it is today.
However, just as all medicines have side effects, all surgeries have pros and cons. Consequently, complications that can occur after blepharoptosis correction surgery often also arise after ‘nunmaegyojung surgery.’ While blepharoptosis patients can largely tolerate these complications due to the primary goal of improving visual obstruction, I believe that if the same complications occur after ‘nunmaegyojung surgery,’ patients may have less tolerance. Therefore, a crucial point during consultation is to minimize the gap between the extent of possible complications and one's aesthetic goals, by consulting with a plastic surgeon highly experienced in blepharoptosis surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’ a medical term?
No, ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’ is not a medical term; it is a commonly used term in plastic surgery. It refers to a procedure performed for aesthetic purposes, derived from blepharoptosis correction surgery.
What is the purpose of ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’?
Its primary purpose is aesthetic: to increase pupil exposure and improve sleepy-looking eyes to appear clearer and more defined. It helps to aesthetically refine the shape of the eye.
How do blepharoptosis correction surgery and ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’ differ?
Blepharoptosis correction surgery primarily aims to improve blepharoptosis (droopy eyelids), a medical condition, to secure the visual field. In contrast, ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’ is performed for aesthetic purposes in individuals without blepharoptosis, adopting a milder form of blepharoptosis correction methods.
Are there any complications that can occur after ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’?
Yes, complications can occur. Since ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’ is performed using methods similar to blepharoptosis correction surgery, complications that can arise after blepharoptosis correction surgery can also occur after ‘nunmaegyojung surgery.’
Is a double eyelid always created during ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’?
Not necessarily. While a double eyelid crease can be created to conceal the scar when suturing the incision made to expose the muscle, some men or elderly patients may opt for simple suturing without a double eyelid.
What is the most important consideration when contemplating ‘nunmaegyojung surgery’?
It is crucial to have a thorough consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon. The key is to minimize the gap between the extent of possible complications and your personal aesthetic goals.