Analysis of the Characteristics of Aging Changes in the Eye Contours of Chinese Han Women

Objective To explore the characteristics of aging changes in the eye contour of Chinese Han women and to provide reference data to base eye rejuvenation treatments. Method A total of 527 Chinese Han women without prior cosmetic or reconstructive surgery were grouped according to decades of age (123 individuals from 20 to 29 years, 104 from 30to 39 years, 100 from 40 to 49 years, 100 from 50 to 59 years, and 100 >60 years). Unobscured facial images of each individual were taken and used to measure eye contour data according to a defined matrix. The relationship between eye contour indices among the different age groups was analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results With increasing age, the distance and the vertical distance between the medial and lateral canthal points all became progressively shorter, especially the exposed length of the eyeball. Additionally, the distance between the lateral canthus and the temporal border, the distance between the medial canthus and the lateral canthus, the distance between the lower eyelid margin and the line connecting the medial canthus and the lateral canthus, all became shorter with age. The width of the face in the lateral canthal plane became narrower, while conversely, the distance and vertical distance between the punctum and the medial canthus became longer. Conclusion The eye contours of Chinese Han women show regular changes during the aging process. The main manifestations involve the cleft of the eye shrinking, the medial canthus receding, and the eye contour shifting inwards and downwards as a whole. Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .