Anthropometry of Asian Eyelids by Age

Background: The normal morphologic and functional values of eyelids and orbits vary according to race, sex, and age. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of information related to these values in Asians, leading Asian surgeons to use statistical data from Caucasians. Methods: The authors quantified and statistically analyzed nine morphologic and functional values in 234 Asian male and 264 Asian female subjects. Results: Among adults, the mean value for the palpebral fissure was 27.0 ± 1.8 mm in males and 26.8 ± 1.7 mm in females in the horizontal dimension and 8.0 ± 1.0 mm in males and 8.2 ± 1.1 mm in females in the vertical dimension. The average slant of the palpebral fissure was 7.9 ± 2.4 degrees in males and 8.8 ± 2.3 degrees in females, and the average height of the opened upper eyelid was 12.4 ± 2.4 mm in males and 12.0 ± 1.9 mm in females. The average height of the double fold in the closed eye was 6.6 mm in males and 6.5 mm in females, and the average intercanthal distance was 38.4 ± 3.0 mm in males and 38.2 ± 2.8 mm in females. The average interpupillary distance was 64.6 ± 2.9 mm in males and 63.6 ± 2.9 mm in females. Conclusions: The peak level of growth in the vertical dimension of the palpebral fissure was reached between ages 10 and 13 years, that of the intercanthal distance between ages 14 and 16 years, and that of the horizontal dimension of the palpebral fissure between ages 17 and 19 years.