[Eyelid alterations after the age of 50 years]

To quantify the palpebral alterations occurring in subjects after the age of 50 years.

An observational study was done with 325 subjects older than 50 years. The data comprised measurements of intercantal distance, palpebral fissure length and height, external and internal eyelid angles, margin reflex distance (MRD) and total palpebral fissure area. Digital images were obtained with a Sony Lithium movie camera at the frontal view in ocular primary position, with the object of observation being located at the height of the pupil. The images were saved on tape, transferred to a McIntosh G4 computer and processed with the NIH 1.58 program. The data were submitted to statistical analysis.

The subjects presented dermochalasis (96.5%), eyebrow ptosis (60.8%), orbital fat prolapse (50.0%) or eyelid ptosis (39.1%). The alterations were bilateral in 68.8% of the subjects. The intercantal distance was higher with age; the eyelid fissure length, the margin reflex distance and the external angle decreased in the elderly. The differences were more important on evaluating each eye separately.

Intercantal distance increase and palpebral fissure length, margin reflex distance and total eyelid area decrease with age.