Exploring Brow Position Changes with Age in Koreans

Several studies have described age-associated brow drooping in Westerners. However, there are few studies that address brow drooping in the Asian population, and especially in the Korean population. Therefore, we studied brow position changes with age in Korean individuals.

A total of 300 adults older than 18 years were enrolled. The ImageJ program was used to analyze digital photos of the patients by measuring the following parameters: marginal reflex distance-1, brow-to-pupil distance, nasal ala-lateral brow distance, lateral brow plumb line, and the angle formed by the line from the mid pupil to the midline of the brow and a line from the midline of the brow to the lateral brow. We divided the patients into three groups (18 to 40, 41 to 60, older than 61) and compared them using the ANOVA test.

Group A included 100 patients between 18 and 40 years of age. Group B included 100 patients between 41 and 60 years of age. Group C included 100 patients older than 61 years. There were significant differences between groups A and C and between groups B and C with regard to marginal reflex distance-1, brow-to-pupil distance and the angle. Lateral brow plumb line showed significant difference only between groups A and B. Nasal ala-lateral brow distance was not significantly different across the three groups.

We sought to describe the physiologic facial changes that occur in Korean individuals. We also hoped to establish guidelines for ptosis corrective surgery. We used various parameters to characterize the aging process in Asians. Our data demonstrated that, like Westerners, Koreans experience lateral brow drooping with age; however, this change was only significant in the group aged >61 years.