Normative anthropometric analysis and aesthetic indication of the ocular region for young Chinese adults.

Purpose: The ocular region is of prime importance for the facial aesthetic outlook. Various anthropometric analyses for the periocular region have developed to ensure a pleasing postoperative appearance. However, little information exists for Chinese young adults. In this study, authors not only analyzed the periocular anthropometric characteristics, but, more importantly, searched out the most meaningful aesthetic indicators of the population.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was executed using two-dimensional photogrammetry acquired from 162 Chinese young adults (79 males, 83 females) between 20-30 years old. Anthropometric parameters including palpebral fissure length and height, intercanthal and outercanthal width, crease height, angle of endocanthion and exocanthion, axis of palpebral fissure, palpebral fissure index, canthal index, and angular index were acquired from standardized photographs. Then, 134 volunteers (20-30 years old) gave each photograph a score within 1-5 points to evaluate their ocular aesthetic attractiveness. The correlation between anthropometric parameters and aesthetic assessment was analyzed.

Results: A statistical difference between genders was found for palpebral fissure length and height, outercanthal width, angle of exocanthion, palpebral fissure index and canthal index (p < 0.05), with no statistical difference found for crease height between genders. Moreover, the palpebral fissure index, canthal index, crease height, and angle of exocanthion were significantly associated with aesthetic assessment.

Conclusions: The normative anthropometric parameters are fundamental to interpret the morphology of eyes and to design plastic surgery for young Chinese adults. The parameters of palpebral fissure index, canthal index, crease height, and angle of exocanthion are strong indicators of aesthetic assessment.