2026-05-29
Maximizing Eye Size for Small and Short Eyes
Learn how to transform small, button-like eyes into larger, clearer eyes through ptosis correction, canthoplasty, and natural double eyelid surgery.

In this post, I will discuss how to maximize the size of eyes that are naturally small or short, often referred to as ‘button eyes’ or ‘short eyes’.
As seen in the following photo, these terms typically describe eyes that are significantly small or narrow in width.

This usually applies to individuals with small eyeballs. To be honest, it is difficult for someone with small eyeballs to achieve extremely large eyes.
However, I will share the best methods to make them appear as large as possible.

In cases like this, the eyes are quite small. The muscle strength for opening the eyes is weak, and both the horizontal and vertical lengths are short.
The most effective way to enlarge them is to first make the eyes appear bigger through ptosis correction and then perform canthoplasty (epicanthoplasty or lateral canthoplasty).
Furthermore, the best way to maximize the perceived size is to make the double eyelid fold either very subtle or almost invisible.
People often mistakenly believe that a larger double eyelid fold will make the eye look bigger. However, for short or small eyes, a thick fold can actually make the eyes look smaller or awkward.

This is the appearance one month after surgery. Although there is still some swelling, you can see that the eyes have become significantly larger.
Here is another case.
The outer corners of the eyes appear slanted upward, and the pupils are heavily covered by the eyelids.

The focus here is to make the eyes look clear and create a softer impression while minimizing the upward slant of the outer corners.

The impression looks much softer than before. You can choose to make the double eyelid completely invisible or slightly visible; both options work well.
Of course, as the swelling subsides further, the line will become slightly more hooded.
For women, having a moderately visible double eyelid line generally results in more beautiful eyes.

Keeping the fold thin is a key factor in achieving an aesthetically pleasing shape.

It is recommended to create a slight in-out double eyelid shape. This makes the overall impression look much kinder.
This is another patient one week after surgery. While swelling is still present, the eyes have enlarged considerably.

We have explored ‘Big Eye Surgery’ techniques to maximize the size of short and small eyes.
This typically involves epicanthoplasty, lateral canthoplasty, lower canthoplasty, and incisional ptosis correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can small,
If your eyeballs are small, there are limitations, but surgery can improve your eyes to be as large and clear as possible. We apply a method that makes the eyes clearer through ptosis correction and extends the horizontal and vertical length by performing epicanthoplasty, lateral canthoplasty, and lower canthoplasty together.
Is it better to make the double eyelids large when performing surgery for small eyes?
No. If the double eyelid line is made too large, the eyes may appear smaller or unnatural. Designing the double eyelid to be barely visible or to be moderately visible with a thin in-out line is the best way to make the eyes look biggest and most natural.
How do you correct short eyes with upturned corners?
We perform canthoplasty along with other procedures to make the eye corners appear less upturned, correcting them into a gentle and soft impression. The part covering the pupils is clearly opened with ptosis correction, and the sharp-looking eye shape is made much softer through lower canthoplasty and lateral canthoplasty.
What surgeries are combined in the 'Big Eye Surgery' to correct small eyes?
Incisional ptosis correction is performed along with epicanthoplasty, lateral canthoplasty, and lower canthoplasty to maximize eye size. This method strengthens the power of the eye-opening muscles to increase vertical length and expands horizontal length through various canthoplasty procedures to dramatically improve stuffy-looking eyes.