Anthropometry of the eyelid and palpebral fissure in an Indian population.

Background: The shapes of the eyebrow and upper eyelid are distinctive facial landmarks. In cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, maintenance of the anatomical relations of these landmarks ensures a pleasing postoperative appearance.

Objectives: The authors establish normal values for eyelid anthropometry in an Indian population.

Method: This prospective study included 216 patients between the ages of 16 and 60 years, divided into three groups by age (Groups A to C: 16 to 30 years, 31 to 45 years, 46 to 60 years, respectively) and sex. All patients were photographed from a frontal view, with measurements taken from these photographs. Parameters included the distance between the medial canthus and the lateral canthus (ie, the width of the palpebral fissure), the distance between the open upper eyelid margin and the lower eyelid margin, (ie, the vertical dimension of the palpebral fissure), the intercanthal distance, the interpupillary distance, and the height of the open upper lid. All measured values were analyzed by independent t-test.

Results: There was a significant increase in palpebral fissure from Group B to Group C. A significant increase was also observed in intercanthal distance as age progressed beyond 45 years. There was a significant decrease in the interpupillary distance as age increased-from Group A to Group B and from Group B to Group C-and a similar increase in eyelid height in that age progression.

Conclusions: The anatomy of the Indian population is distinct in that the palpebral fissure in men is less than that in women. It appears that changes in the eye become more pronounced after 45 years, including an increase in palpebral fissure, intercanthal distance, and height of the upper lid, along with a decrease in interpupillary distance.