Topographic Anatomic Difference of the Eyelid According to Age in Korean

Purpose: To analyze the morphologic changes of the eyelids among different age groups in Korean, and also th find out factors that influence there changes. Methods: Tow hundred thirty six subjects without any ocular diseases were selected, and sorted by the age (ranging from teenage to the sixties and above), the gender, and according to the existence of the double fold. The pictures of frontal and lateral side of the subjects were taken. After scanning the pictures, MRD1 (marginal reflex distance 1), MRD2 (marginal reflex distance 2), the vertical distance from upper eyelid to eyebrow, the vertical and horizontal distance from medial to lateral canthus, and the horizontal distance between lateral canthus and corneal center were measured using computer-based AutoCAD R14. The measured distances were compared in each subjects. Results: MRD1, MRD2, the vertical distance between medial and lateral canthus, and the horizontal distance between lateral canthus and corneal center were longest in people of the 3rd and 4th decade, and decreased. The horizontal distance between medial and lateral canthus was longest in people of the 5th decade, and decreased thereafter. The vertical distance between upper eyelid and eyebrow was shortest in people of the 4th decade and increased with aging. Conclusions: It is essential to acknowledge and understand the morphologic changes of the eyelids according to aging so that more satisfactory surgical outcomes may be achieved in cosmetic eyelid operation.