Intrinsic and Extrinsic Risk Factors for Sagging Eyelids

Abstract

This is the first observational study to date demonstrating that other risk factors (male sex, genetic variants, lighter skin color, high body mass index, and possibly current smoking) in addition to aging are involved in the origin of sagging eyelids.

Eyelid aging: pathophysiology and clinical management

“…The overall prevalence of sagging eyelids among individuals aged ≧45 years is reported to be 16%, comprising 19% of men and 14% of women (8) . Two large epidemiologic studies -the Rotterdam study and the Twins UK study-dealt with the prevalence and risk factors for sagging eyelids (9) .…”

“…Two large epidemiologic studies -the Rotterdam study and the Twins UK study-dealt with the prevalence and risk factors for sagging eyelids (9) . Two large study populations were chosen for these studies: The Rotterdam study included 5578 individuals of North European origin with an average age of 67 years living in the periphery of Rotterdam and the UK twins study involved 2186 twins with an average age of 53 years living in Great Britain (8) . By studying these populations, many non-genetic risk factors for sagging eyelids could be discerned, including age, high body mass index, lighter skin color, smoking, male gender, and heritability (8) .…”

“…Two large study populations were chosen for these studies: The Rotterdam study included 5578 individuals of North European origin with an average age of 67 years living in the periphery of Rotterdam and the UK twins study involved 2186 twins with an average age of 53 years living in Great Britain (8) . By studying these populations, many non-genetic risk factors for sagging eyelids could be discerned, including age, high body mass index, lighter skin color, smoking, male gender, and heritability (8) . Genetic analysis showed the C allele of rs11876749 on chromosome 18 to be a defensive risk factor for sagging eyelids (8) .…”

“…By studying these populations, many non-genetic risk factors for sagging eyelids could be discerned, including age, high body mass index, lighter skin color, smoking, male gender, and heritability (8) . Genetic analysis showed the C allele of rs11876749 on chromosome 18 to be a defensive risk factor for sagging eyelids (8) . Sufficient data are not yet available regarding the incidence of ptosis (9,10) .…”

Upper Lid Blepharoplasty Without Cutting the Orbicularis Muscle

“…This, in combination with a thinning eyelid skin [7], leads to orbital fat prolapse and eyelid malposition [5,10,11]. The desinsertion or attenuation of the levator muscle aponeurosis may cause involutional (aponeurotic) ptosis [19].…”