Prevalence and risk factors of childhood blepharoptosis in Koreans: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

PURPOSE

Childhood blepharoptosis may cause cosmetic and functional problems in children, but there is a paucity of studies about its epidemiology. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of childhood blepharoptosis and associated risk factors in a representative Korean population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional nation-wide study analysed the data set acquired from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2012. A total of 8218 children aged 3-18 years were included. The prevalence of childhood blepharoptosis, defined as a margin reflex distance (MRD) of < 2 mm in either eye, was estimated, and the risk factors were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 11.3 ± 0.1 years, and 52.8 ± 0.6% were boys. The overall prevalence of childhood blepharoptosis in Korea was 8.0% (95% CI, 6.9-9.1%). Boys exhibited a higher prevalence of blepharoptosis than girls at most of ages. Levator function increased with age in the normal general population. The proportion of subjects exhibiting MRD1 ≥ 4.0 mm also increased significantly with age (p < 0.001). Male gender, higher body mass index, and urban residency were significantly associated with childhood blepharoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of childhood blepharoptosis is higher in urban obese boys. The increase of levator function with age should be considered in evaluations of childhood ptosis.