How much does Cat Eyes surgery cost in Turkey?
The cost of Cat Eyes surgery in Turkey ranges from £1,300 to £2,200, compared with around £4,500 in the UK. This price covers local anaesthetic with sedation, aftercare and accommodation. The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours and is done as a day case, with no overnight hospital stay.
📊 Price table 2026
| Type of procedure | Price in Turkey | Price in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Cat Eyes (canthopexy alone) | £1,300 - £1,900 | £3,800 - £5,500 |
| Cat Eyes + blepharoplasty | £1,900 - £2,800 | £5,500 - £8,000 |
| Fox Eyes (temporal lift) | £1,600 - £2,300 | £4,500 - £7,000 |
| Thread lift (non-surgical) | £700 - £1,050 | £1,800 - £2,800 |
What is canthoplasty?
Cat Eyes surgery in Turkey is a surgical technique used to lift the outer corners of the eyes, correct drooping eyelids and give extra support to the eyelids after upper or lower blepharoplasty. Canthoplasty is used to soften a tired or sad expression and to change the shape of the eye.
This procedure is also called lateral canthoplasty, because it reshapes and repositions part of the eye called the lateral canthus. The lateral canthus is the outer corner of the eye, where the upper and lower eyelids meet to form a horizontal “v”.
| General information | |
| Anaesthesia | Local |
| Hospital stay | No |
| Return to work | 3-5 days |
| Duration of surgery | 1-2 hours |
| Minimum stay in Istanbul | 3 days |
In practice, canthoplasty in Istanbul can tighten a slack, loose lower eyelid and reshape and reposition the lateral canthus. The procedure uses an incision at the outer corner of the eyelid to rebuild the weakened or stretched canthal tendon that anchors the lower eyelid, lifting the outer corners of the eyes and improving their overall shape.
Read more: Fox Eyes surgery cost in Turkey
Preparing for Cat Eyes surgery
- Patients should stop smoking 6 weeks before surgery and avoid alcohol for a week beforehand.
- Patients should be in good health and avoid all medication and herbal supplements before surgery.
- Patients should arrange for someone to accompany them on the day, because they will be given a sedative and a local anaesthetic and may feel tired and drowsy.
- Patients are advised not to eat for a set period before surgery (the surgeon will tell them how long in advance).
Who is the best candidate?
Canthoplasty is suitable for:
- Broadly speaking, patients whose lower eyelids droop, sag or look puffy are good candidates for this type of procedure, particularly if they are unhappy with the current look and shape of their eyes.
- Male and female patients over the age of 18
- Patients who are in good health, both mentally and physically.
Read more: Blepharoplasty in Turkey
Why is canthoplasty performed?
The procedure can be carried out for cosmetic or medical reasons, and can create an almond or cat-eye shape or reduce the effect of drooping eyes or eye bags that appear with age. Canthoplasty can also be performed to correct malposition or laxity of the lower eyelid caused by trauma or previous eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).
What are the benefits of canthoplasty?
- Correcting eyelid problems, including malposition or disfigurement caused by trauma, ageing or disease.
- Tightening the muscle(s) connecting the upper and lower eyelids (these muscles around the eye weaken with age).
- Improving previous eye surgery that did not give the best results (for example, revision blepharoplasty to correct earlier lower eyelid surgery).
- Correcting ectropion or entropion.
- Better protecting the cornea and the surface of the eye.
- Providing support to the eye muscles.
Risks and complications
Canthoplasty is a short procedure, but like any surgery it carries risks, including the following:
- Temporary blurred or double vision
- Swelling
- Infection
Canthoplasty and blepharoplasty: what is the difference?
Canthoplasty should not be confused with the better-known blepharoplasty, which is another type of eyelid surgery. Blepharoplasty is a rejuvenation procedure that focuses on removing excess skin from the upper or lower eyelid that has loosened with age, without changing the shape or size of the eye.
During Cat Eyes surgery in Turkey
Canthoplasty usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Before the operation begins, a clear plastic shield is placed over the eye for the whole procedure. The surgeon starts by marking the upper eyelid where the incisions will be made. Incisions of around 1 cm are made in the upper eyelid, following the natural creases of the area.
When the surgeon reaches the canthal tendon, it is tightened and fixed to the membrane covering the orbital rim (periosteum). If there is too much excess skin or fat on the lower eyelid, the surgeon removes it and then closes the incisions with sutures. Once the operation is finished, the shield is removed from the eye and a dressing is applied to protect the wounds.
After canthoplasty surgery
- Patients are usually sent home a few hours after the procedure.
- Stitches are usually removed two to five days after surgery, and most of the swelling settles within two weeks.
- Patients should keep their head raised, sleeping on about two pillows.
- A cold compress can be applied to the eye several times a day.
- Extra care should be taken to avoid any injury to the eye.
- Patients should not bend over or lift heavy objects.
- Patients should apply and take the eye drops, ointments and other medicines prescribed by the surgeon.
Most patients return to work three to five days after their operation. If you have non-dissolvable stitches, you will need to come back to the clinic two to five days later to have them removed.
There are certain activities you will need to avoid for a while. You do not want to strain your eyes, as they can become irritated. Avoid activities such as reading, watching television, using a computer or wearing contact lenses. You should also avoid bending over or playing sport, because you need to keep your head as raised as possible.
Full recovery time varies from one patient to another and is assessed at the postoperative check-up.
Canthopexy or canthoplasty: what is the difference?
Canthopexy tightens the lateral canthal tendon without cutting it; canthoplasty cuts it and then repositions it. The price shown above, £1,300 to £1,900, corresponds to canthopexy alone. The choice between the two is made during the consultation, depending on how lax the eyelid is.
Cat eyes and fox eyes cover one or other of these procedures depending on the practitioner, with no established medical distinction. Canthoplasty in Turkey has its own page, and the practical arrangements for the trip are set out in our guide to medical tourism in Turkey.
Can you get a Cat Eyes effect without surgery?
Thread lifts and injections lift the tail of the brow without an incision, and the table above puts this route at between £700 and £1,050 in Turkey. The authors of a series published on PDO threads describe a temporary result, offered to patients who decline surgery[1].
No source allows us to state how long the effect lasts: the 12 to 18 months that circulate are not backed by anything. Other facial options are covered in our overview of cosmetic surgery in Turkey.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
How much does Cat Eyes surgery cost in Turkey and in the UK?
Expect £1,300 to £2,200 in Turkey, compared with around £4,500 in the UK. Combining it with a blepharoplasty takes it up to £2,800. In Tunisia, the range runs from £1,300 to £1,900. The Turkish price quoted includes anaesthesia, aftercare and accommodation.
How long does it take to see the result?
Swelling in the first few days hides the shape achieved, and the skin around the eye takes time to settle. No published source sets a timeframe: the surgeon decides when the result can be considered final, at the postoperative check-up.
Can Cat Eyes surgery cause dry eyes?
A series of 100 patients who had lower eyelid surgery with canthopexy or canthoplasty reports new dry eye in 25 of them[2]. This figure does not relate to an isolated Cat Eyes procedure, but it does justify a preliminary assessment.
Is Cat Eyes surgery covered by insurance?
Cat Eyes surgery is a cosmetic request, unlike a blepharoplasty carried out for a functional problem. Whether anything is covered depends on your own health cover and personal circumstances, so check with your provider before considering treatment abroad.
Is the result of Cat Eyes surgery permanent?
The repositioning of the tendon is long-lasting, but no published data allows us to state how long it holds, and the figures that circulate are not backed by anything. Ageing of the forehead and eyelids carries on regardless.
Can it be reversed if you are unhappy with the result?
The canthal tendon has been repositioned: the procedure cannot be undone, it can only be redone. A revision is possible, but it remains a second operation with its own recovery. That is why the preliminary assessment matters so much.
Is Cat Eyes surgery painful?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic with sedation, so there is no pain during surgery. In the following days, tightness and discomfort when closing the eyelids are common and are managed with the painkillers prescribed.
Sources & References
- Yu AY, Pu LLQ. Polydioxanone (PDO) Thread Lift for Face: A Novel Anatomical Approach. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2026. View the source
- Sultan B, Genther DJ, Perkins SW. Measurement of Change in Lower Eyelid Position in Patients Undergoing Transcutaneous Skin-Muscle Flap Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. 2016. View the source
