Thickness of the eyelid structures in different age groups based on the ultrasound study

Most of the literature data on eyelid structures are based on the measurements in cadavers or histological samples. Nonetheless, such data can differ from the living tissues with interstitial fluid and filled vessels. In clinical work, specialists sometimes need to be aware of the in vivo parameters of eyelids tissue structures.

Information on live thickness of eyelid structures supports diagnostic process and surgery planning. Nonetheless, the eyelids are affected by age related changes as other facial soft tissues.

Purpose: To compare thickness of normal eyelid structures measured with ultrasound in various age groups.

Methods. This prospective observational study was comprised of intact eyelids of 37 patients with a mean age of 46 ± 13.13 years (aged 27–79 years; 28 women). All subjects were divided into 4 groups with an interval of 10 years from 20 to 60 years and a group of aged above 60 years. Same operator took measurements skin, circular eye muscle, conjunctiva, tarsus and their composition of both eyelids with B-scan ultrasonography.

Results. We established some age-related trends for all parameters, but two of them change the most significantly. The lower eyelid skin thickness in group of 31–40 years old people (1.2 [1.0;1.4] mm) significantly differed from the values in the groups of people aged 41–50 (1.65 [1.45;1.85] mm and 51–60 лет (2.05 [1.73;2.7] мм. Upper eyelid conjunctiva at the level of tarsal plate upper margin also tends to be thicker in people( older 60 years (0.97 [0.8;1.2] mm) than in younger adults, especially at the age of 21–30 (0.49 [0.44;0.55], p = 0.053) and 41-50 y.o. (0.58 [0.50;0.65] mm, p = 0.053).

Conclusion. Significant differences in the skin thickness of the lower eyelid were detected in the group of 31–40 years from the values in the groups of 41–50 years (p = 0.03) and 51–60 years (p = 0.05). In persons over 60 years of age, the conjunctiva of the upper eyelid at the level of the upper edge of the TP was significantly thicker than in younger age groups. It was noted that most of the structures of the upper eyelid (skin, conjunctiva, TP, conjunctiva-TP complex, orbicularis oculi muscle and the total thickness of the eyelid at the level of TP) in all age groups are much thinner (p <0.05) than the corresponding structures of the lower eyelid. The obtained data can serve as a guide for diagnosis and planning of surgical interventions.

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