"I cannot let you leave until uneven eyes are perfect."
Hello, I am Dr. Nk Park, a board-certified plastic surgeon and the director of Noonopi Plastic Surgery in Seoul.
We welcome many international patients to our clinic. Since they travel a long distance, they tend to research ptosis surgery clinics in Gangnam very thoroughly before making a decision.
Today, I would like to introduce a patient who flew in from Boston, USA. She was exceptionally thorough. Before coming to Korea, she had already read countless eyelid surgery reviews. Even after arriving in Seoul, she visited four renowned clinics for consultations before choosing Noonopi.
She was concerned about a "very slight ptosis" (mild asymmetry), which meant that the inner corner of her right pupil was covered slightly more than the left.
The 1mm Difference: Why "Ptosis Correction" is Necessary
To others, her eyes might have looked fine. They might have asked, "Do you really need surgery for that?" But for her, they were a significant source of stress every time she took a photo.
Creating a double eyelid fold does not solve the problem in cases like this. This case required ptosis correction (levator muscle advancement) to adjust the strength of the eye opening muscle that lifts the eye.
Many patients worry about the ptosis surgery cost, but honestly, more important than the price is the surgeon's ability to detect and fix these uneven eyes with extreme detail.
The initial surgery went smoothly(see intra-op video).
Day 7: The "Bomb" Drop ("Let's do it again.")
There was swelling the day after surgery, so it was difficult to see the final results. We scheduled another meeting one week later to remove the stitches.
However, on day 7 (stitch removal day), with most of the swelling gone, I fell into deep thought. The patient said hopefully,
"The right eye still looks a bit smaller, but it will look better when the swelling goes down, right?"
But I could see the truth. The exposure of the right pupil was slightly less than what I had targeted. There was a 1 mm difference.
Usually, most doctors would say, "Let's wait and see." But this patient didn't have much time left in Korea. I decided to be honest.
"The correction is slightly insufficient. Let's perform revision surgery today."
"What about my flight?"
The patient was initially flustered and, quite honestly, a bit angry.
"Dr. Park, I'm leaving the country soon. I have a flight scheduled, and if we do surgery again, how will I get the stitches removed?"
I understood her frustration. Performing an early revision is burdensome for the surgeon as well. However, I knew that if I let her leave like this, she would be disappointed with the final result once the swelling had fully subsided.
"If you go back to Boston like this, you'll regret that one millimeter every time you look in the mirror. Please trust me one more time."
Despite her initial shock, she saw my firm determination and agreed to trust me. She postponed her flight and agreed to the revision surgery that afternoon.
After the Storm comes the Calm: Perfect Symmetry
The revision surgery was swift. I tightened the muscle in her right eye just a tiny bit more. Honestly, it was easier than the first surgery. The previous correction point served as a landmark, so I only needed to tighten the muscle slightly more from that spot.
Red arrow: Thread attached to the muscle opening the eye (before tying).
Green arrow: Thread after tying
(Image source: Textbook)
One week after the revision (2 weeks after the initial procedure), we finally removed all the stitches. As we removed them, the patient cheerfully recounted her emotional roller coaster: the excitement before the first surgery, the panic when the revision was suggested, and the subsequent relief upon completing it.
Although she had to change her flight, she couldn't hide her bright expression.
"Dr. Park, if I hadn't done the revision then, I would have regretted it forever. The sleepy look is completely gone."
Watching her head to the airport with a smile, I realized once again how important it is for a surgeon "Never to compromise."
Conclusion: The Criteria for Best Eyelid Surgery Clinic
Many people rely on internet searches when considering ptosis correction for uneven eyes or a sleepy look. However, for difficult cases like congenital ptosis or subtle asymmetry, what truly matters is the doctor's "Accurate Diagnosis and Careful Evaluation."
- Does the doctor meticulously monitor progress after surgery?
- Do they take responsibility for even the slightest error until the end?
Noonopi believes this is the true standard for a "Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea."
🔗 Check Out Other Cases in This Series!
- [Case 2] [Male Ptosis: Why I took a patient back to the OR on the same day]
- [Case 3] [Severe Ptosis: A dramatic transformation for a patient with <50% vision]
- [Case 4] [Congenital Ptosis: Treating a lifelong condition for a 12-year-old]
💡 Ask Dr. Park
"Do I have ptosis?"
If you are concerned about your eyes looking uneven or sleepy, please send us a photo via WhatsApp or KakaoTalk. I will personally review the photo and provide an honest assessment of whether correction is needed.
