Anatomic properties of the upper eyelid in Asian Americans

With increasing demand for "double eyelid" surgery within the United States, it becomes prudent for U.S. surgeons to become familiar with Asian eyelid anatomy.

To identify and describe anatomic characteristics of the Asian upper eyelid.

A cross-sectional descriptive series of 9 Korean-American and 10 Chinese-American subjects. Standardized photographs of the eyes were analyzed. Three types of eyelid anatomy were described: single eyelid, low eyelid crease, and double eyelid.

The incidence rate for the three types of eyelid anatomies varied between Chinese and Korean Americans. The mean palpebral fissure height, width, and inclination were not statistically different between the two populations. A few subjects had asymmetric eyelid configurations. Chinese American and Korean American double eyelids tended to flare up laterally when the eye was open. The mean double eyelid crease height at the medial limbus was 3.7 +/- 1.1 mm, and the mean height at the lateral limbus 4.6 +/- 1.0 mm. This difference was statistically significant (p<.04).

Eyelid anatomies vary in different Asian Americans. Surgeons need to be mindful of different eyelid configurations and measurement patterns to achieve the most natural-looking Asian double eyelids.