Morphological analysis of the upper eyelid tarsus in Asians

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aims to evaluate morphologic variations of the upper tarsus in Asians.

Methods: Measurements of superior-inferior and medial-lateral lengths were performed on 54 embalmed cadavers. The superior-inferior length of the tarsus was measured at the central and lateral parts. On the basis of the measured values, shapes of the tarsi were evaluated and categorized.

Results: The tarsi were classified into 3 morphologic categories-the sickle, triangular, and trapezoid types. The upper margins of the sickle, triangular, and trapezoid type tarsi present round, triangular, and flat lines, respectively. Among the 54 examined specimens, 29 (55.6%), 16 (29.6%), and 9 (16.7%) belonged to the sickle, triangular, and trapezoid groups, respectively.

Conclusions: The upper eyelid tarsi present morphologic variations with the Asian population. In performing surgical correction of blepharoptosis or surgical production of double-folds, this individual variation should be taken into consideration.