J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2018 Jul;59(7):606-612. 10.3341/jkos.2018.59.7.606.

Upper and Lower Eyelid Positions in Several Korean Age Groups

• Lee S
• Park J
• Lee J
• Na J
• Lee H
• Baek S

• KMID: 2416262
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2018.59.7.606

Abstract

PURPOSE
To characterize differences in upper and lower eyelid positions among different Korean age groups.
METHODS
Digital photographs of 380 patients were retrospectively selected. Patients who had no known eyelid disorders or previous surgeries that could affect eyelid position were included. The marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and marginal reflex distance 2 (MRD2) were measured from photographs using Image J software. Patients were divided into four groups for analysis: a child group, 0-20 years of age; a young adult group, 20-40 years of age; a middle age group, 40-60 years of age; and an elderly group, ≥60 years of age.
RESULTS
Total of 380 eyes from 380 patients were included. Mean age was 38.90 ± 22.79 years, and 200 (52.6%) were male. Mean MRD1s (mm) in each age group were: 0-20 years (n = 92), 2.94 ± 0.95; 20-40 years (n = 102), 3.23 ± 0.92; 40-60 years (n = 94), 3.33 ± 1.09; and ≥ 60 (n = 92), 2.42 ± 1.03. Mean MRD2s (mm) in each age group were: 0-20 years (n = 92), 5.37 ± 0.68; 20-40 years (n = 102), 5.66 ± 0.58; 40-60 years (n = 94), 5.29 ± 0.80; and ≥ 60 years (n = 92), 4.45 ± 0.86. The mean MRD1 was longest in the middle age group, and shortest in the elderly group. The mean MRD2 was longest in the young adult group, and shortest in the elderly group. The mean MRD1 (mm) was 2.90 ± 1.07 in males and 3.09 ± 1.03 in females. The mean MRD2 (mm) was 5.44 ± 0.68 in males and 4.95 ± 0.96 in females, and there was a statistically significant difference in the MRD2 between the two sexes (p = 0.077, p=0.000, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Significant decreases were observed in the MRD1 and MRD2 with Koreans aged ≥ 60 years. Notably, the decrease in MRD2 in females was more significant than in males. This could be important reference values for successful eyelid surgery, especially in elderly patients. The amount of surgical correction during upper lid surgery should be determined according to the MRD1, in order to prevent overcorrection.

Keyword

Aging; Blepharoplasty; Eyelid position; Marginal reflex distance

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aging
Blepharoplasty
Child
Eyelids*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Reference Values
Reflex
Retrospective Studies
Young Adult

Figure

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  Figure 1 Correlation of marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and MRD2 according to age and sex. (A) MRD1 and age. (B) MRD2 and age. (C) MRD1 and age in each sex group. (D) MRD2 and age in each sex group. *Simple linear regression test.

• 

  Figure 2 The mean marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) was longest in the middle age group, and shortest in the elderly group. The mean MRD2 was longest in the young adult group, and shortest in the elderly group. CI = confidence interval.

• 

  Figure 3 Examples of eyelid presentation of each age group. Arrows point decrease of marginal reflex distance 2 (MRD2) in females, according to age. There is significantly upward shift of the lower eyelids and decreased MRD2 in old age (> 60), a phenomenon called “reverse ptosis”. F= female.

• 

  Figure 4 A case of blepharoplasty in an elderly women. (A) 75-year old female patient with involutional ptosis in both upper eyelid and reverse ptosis in both lower eyelid. (B) Intra-operative photograph of the same patient. Surgical correction of upper eyelid involutional ptosis was done. The amount of surgical correction during upper lid surgery should be determined according to marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) (mm), not according to palpebral fissure height, in order to prevent overcorrection and postoperative complications such as lagophthalmos. (C) Postoperative 3 months. Lower eyelid is still positioned superior to the inferior limbus, a phenomenon frequently called ‘reverse ptosis’. However, upper eyelid involutional ptosis is successfully corrected without overcorrection.

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