What cat eye surgery is
"Cat eye" or "fox eye" surgery is an umbrella term for procedures that lift the outer corner of the eye (the lateral canthus) and, often, the tail of the eyebrow. The aim is a slightly upward-tilted, almond-shaped eye. Depending on your anatomy and goals, it may combine securing the outer eye corner – canthopexy or canthoplasty – with a small lift through the temple.
It is different from a thread lift, which pulls tissue temporarily with dissolvable threads: surgical repositioning is long-lasting, although the face continues to age naturally. It is also different from eyelid surgery, which removes excess skin and bags but does not change the angle of the eye. The cat eye surgery page of New City Clinic makes the same point: the surgeon decides at the examination which technique suits you and how much change is realistic.
Who is it for?
Cat eye surgery suits adults who would like a slightly lifted, almond-shaped look at the outer corner of the eyes, for example when:
- the outer corners have drooped with age and the eyes look tired or downturned;
- the tail of the brows has dropped, making the outer upper lid look heavy;
- you have naturally downturned eyes and would like a subtly more lifted shape;
- you have tried temporary options such as threads and want something longer-lasting.
Good candidates are in good health and have realistic expectations: the aim is a natural, refreshed look, not a dramatically different eye shape. If your whole brow has descended, a brow lift may be more appropriate; if the main concern is a heavy lid, an upper blepharoplasty may be added in the same session.
Canthopexy, canthoplasty and temple lift
| Technique | What is done | Degree of change |
|---|---|---|
| Canthopexy | The outer corner is secured slightly higher without cutting the eyelid tendon | Subtle |
| Canthoplasty | The tendon at the outer corner is repositioned | More noticeable, where suitable |
| Temple / brow-tail lift | The outer brow is raised through a small incision in the temple hairline | Lifts the outer upper face |
| Combined with eyelid surgery | Excess upper-lid skin removed in the same session | Opens the eye as well |
The plan is tailored to your anatomy. Many people need only a canthopexy with a temple lift; a canthoplasty is reserved for cases where it is safe and appropriate.
Safety first: what the surgeon checks
The outer corner of the eye is not just decoration – it supports the lower eyelid, which protects the eye. Before deciding how much change is safe, the surgeon examines lower lid tone, eye dryness, the position of the eyeball in relation to the cheekbone and the existing tilt of the eye. Over-correction can cause irritation, a pulled or unnatural look, or exposure of the eye surface.
That is why the result is planned conservatively. Please mention any dry eye, contact lens use, previous eye or eyelid surgery and thyroid eye problems at the assessment. Honest planning also means the surgeon may advise against the procedure – or suggest a gentler alternative – if your anatomy is not suitable.
Your cat eye surgery in Istanbul, step by step
- Free assessment. Send close-up photos of your eyes open and closed, front and side views of your face, and a short health history. A doctor reviews them and New City Clinic sends a written plan and quote, usually within 24 hours.
- Arrival. You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel.
- Examination. The surgeon checks eyelid tone and eye health, you have the necessary tests, and the plan is finalised.
- Procedure. About 1–2 hours under local anaesthesia at a licensed partner hospital; you go back to the hotel the same day.
- Check-up. Stitches and healing are checked before you fly.
- Home. Total stay of about 5–7 days; follow-up continues by photo and video call.
Sunglasses help on the four-hour flight to the UK or Ireland. See our guide to planning your trip for more.
Preparing for cat eye surgery
Bring photos that show the look you like – not to copy them, but to help the surgeon understand the degree of change you have in mind. If you have had fillers or threads around the temples or eyes, say so and note the dates; the surgeon may want them to have settled first. Stop smoking well before the operation, and list every medicine, eye drop and supplement you use, since some may need to be paused on medical advice. If you wear contact lenses, bring your glasses for the first couple of weeks. Pack large sunglasses, a soft eye mask and something to listen to rather than read, because resting your eyes helps swelling settle. Our package guide explains what is already arranged for you on arrival.
Recovery
Swelling and bruising around the eyes and temples settle over one to two weeks. In the first days the outer corners may look over-lifted or tight – this is expected and relaxes as swelling subsides. Sleep with your head raised, use cool compresses, avoid rubbing the eyes and follow the eye-drop routine you are given.
- First week: rest, eye care, no make-up around the incisions.
- About seven days: most people return to desk work.
- Three weeks: sport resumed.
- Around three months: the final shape is visible and the scars have softened.
Risks
Temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness and dry or watery eyes are expected. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, visible scarring at the outer corner, irritation of the eye surface, a change in the shape of the lower lid, and over- or under-correction that may need adjustment. Every medical procedure carries risk; your surgeon explains your individual risks at the examination.
Results vary with anatomy and healing and cannot be guaranteed. Be cautious of offers that promise dramatic "fox eyes" for everyone – they ignore the eye's anatomy. Our guide to safe surgery in Turkey covers the red flags.
Cat eye surgery price in Turkey
The illustrative package price for cat eye surgery with New City Clinic is €3,000; the final figure is confirmed after a free medical assessment and depends on the combination of techniques. Flights are not included.
The package includes surgery at an authorised partner hospital, hotel accommodation, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, a coordinator and interpreter, and complication insurance. In the UK and Ireland, canthoplasty-type procedures are offered by fewer surgeons and prices are often quoted at approximately £4,000 to £8,000 or more – an indication only. See all treatments on our prices page and the New City Clinic prices.
Why we recommend New City Clinic as the best clinic in Turkey for cat eye surgery
If you are comparing options and wondering which is the best clinic in Istanbul for fox eye surgery, we recommend New City Clinic, and we want to be clear about why. New City Clinic works only with licensed hospitals and named specialists, holds the Ministry of Health health-tourism authorisation, HealthTürkiye registration and TÜRSAB licence no. 17659, and is certified to four ISO standards (9001, 27001, 10002 and 31000) – documents you can open on the New City Clinic licences page. Complication insurance, written transparent prices and one coordinator from your first message to your follow-up complete the picture. That combination is what we look for in the best clinic in Turkey for cat eye surgery.
New City Clinic is a health-tourism agency in Bakırköy, Istanbul, authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye) and licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659). Surgery is performed at licensed partner hospitals such as Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni by specialist surgeons, including Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, plastic, reconstructive and oncological surgeon.
You get a written plan, the named hospital and surgeon, complication insurance and a coordinator in your language. Documents can be checked on our licences and certificates page. If you are thinking about the whole face, our pages on facial fat transfer and rhinoplasty may also interest you.
Request your free cat eye assessment
Send New City Clinic close-up photos of your eyes – open, closed and looking straight ahead – plus front and side photos of your face, and mention any eye conditions or previous procedures. A doctor reviews them free of charge and tells you honestly how much lift is realistic and safe. A written quote usually follows within 24 hours via the form or WhatsApp.
Choosing the best plastic surgeon in Istanbul and the best clinic in Turkey is a personal decision – take your time, ask questions and compare written plans. When you are ready, the Cat eye surgery page of New City Clinic and the New City Clinic team on WhatsApp are one message away.
Frequently asked questions
How much does cat eye surgery cost in Turkey?
With New City Clinic the illustrative package price is €3,000, including surgery, hotel, transfers, coordinator and complication insurance. Flights are not included; the final price is confirmed after a free assessment.
Is cat eye surgery permanent?
Surgical repositioning is long-lasting, unlike a thread lift, although the face continues to age naturally.
Will cat eye surgery look natural?
The aim is a subtle lift that suits your face. The surgeon explains at the examination how much change is realistic and safe, and plans conservatively to avoid an over-pulled look.
What is the difference between canthopexy and canthoplasty?
Canthopexy secures the outer corner of the eye slightly higher without cutting the eyelid tendon, for a subtle change. Canthoplasty repositions the tendon itself and gives a more noticeable change where it is suitable.
Can cat eye surgery be combined with eyelid surgery?
Yes. When there is excess upper eyelid skin, blepharoplasty is often done in the same session.
How long do I stay in Istanbul for cat eye surgery?
About 5 to 7 days. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and you go back to your hotel the same day; stitches are checked before you fly.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to desk work after about a week, and to sport after about three weeks. Swelling and bruising settle over one to two weeks.
Is cat eye surgery suitable for everyone?
No. The surgeon checks lower lid tone, eye dryness and the position of the eye before deciding. If your anatomy is not suitable, a gentler alternative or no surgery may be advised.
