Anthropometric Analysis of Orbital Region and Age-Related Changes in Adult Women

Normal morphometric values of the orbital region vary according to age, sex, and ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal values of orbital region and analysis age-related changes in adult women.

Measurements were performed on 311 healthy women, aged between 20 and 87. Subjects were divided into 3 age groups: young (20-44), middle aged (45-59), and old adults (60 and up). The anthropometric measurements of orbital region were performed on the photographs by using IT version 3.00 software programs.

The mean values of interpupillar distance and nasofrontal angle were 64.20 ± 5.06 mm, 149.21 ± 9.12° respectively. In young, middle, and old groups the values of outer canthal distance were 92.98 ± 5.85, 91.00 ± 7.04, and 88.02 ± 6.13 mm; inner canthal distances were 31.30 ± 3.07, 31.72 ± 3.51, and 31.66 ± 3.44 mm. Palpebral fissure areas were 163.41 ± 29.98, 144.01 ± 30.90, and 129.11 ± 27.21 mm. Palpebral fissure lengths were 29.96 ± 1.76, 28.45 ± 1.96, and 26.81 ± 1.95 mm; palpebral fissure widths were 9.27 ± 1.21, 8.57 ± 1.25, and 7.98 ± 1.18 mm. Inner canthal angles were 39.29 ± 6.04°, 37.57 ± 6.58°, and 35.78 ± 5.80°; outer canthal angles were 53.90 ± 8.90°, 51.48 ± 8.87°, and 49.87 ± 9.78°. Visible iris areas were 96.04 ± 15.04, 88.63 ± 16.27, and 81.73 ± 14.03 mm, respectively. Interpupillary distance and inner chantal distance measurements showed no significant difference with age. As other measurements were determined decreased with age (P <0.05).

The authors believe that knowing the normal size of the structures in the orbital region and age-related changes will be useful to maintain the facial proportions in the plastic and reconstructive surgery and to protect aesthetic appearance of the face.