Assessment of age- and sex-related changes in baggy lower eyelids using a novel objective image analysis method: Orbital gray scale analysis.

BACKGROUND

Baggy lower eyelids (BLEs) are a common aesthetic problem of aging. Valid and reliable assessment tools for BLEs are required to evaluate the current status and treatment outcome.

AIMS

Age- and sex-related changes in BLEs were assessed with the orbital gray scale (OGS), a novel objective image analysis method.

METHODS

We gathered frontal-view photographs of the faces of the patients who sought for correction of BLEs. Based on the clinical pattern, we classified the BLEs of the subjects into medial (M), medial and central (MC), and medial to lateral (MCL) types. Severity was evaluated using the OGS, a modified method of the linear gray scale analysis.

RESULTS

The BLEs of 1034 subjects were classified. The most common types were MCL type in the men and MC type in the women, respectively. The M and MC types were common in the young subjects, whereas the MCL type was more common in the old subjects (P < .001). The measurements of OGS in 104 subjects showed positive correlation with age, a higher mean value in the men, and a trend toward higher values in the order of M, MC, and MCL types (P < .001 for central and lateral OGS scores). In a multiple linear regression analysis, central and lateral OGS values were significantly related with age, sex, and M-C-L classification type (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The M-C-L classification and OGS were significantly associated with both age and sex, proving that they could be potent objective assessment tools for BLEs.