Microscopic Anatomy of the Lower Eyelid in Koreans

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To study the microscopic anatomic relation of capsulopalpebral fascia, orbital septum, and tarsus of the lower eyelid in Korean. METHODS: Foureteen normal Korean lower eyelids from 14 formalin-fixed cadavers (mean age of 66.5 years) were harvested and studied with light microscopy after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Dimensions of the structures and distances between them was measured by analyzing the digital photographs. RESULTS: There was no fusion of the orbital septum and the capsulopalpebral fascia at the lower border of the tarsal plate in 10 specimens and limited fusion of these tissue in 4 specimens. The average distance from the inferior tarsal border to the first identifiable smooth muscle nuclei of the inferior tarsal muscle was 1.38 mm. The average tarsal plate thickness was 0.98 mm and the average tarsal plate height was 3.96 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The Korean lower lid anatomy differs from that of their non-Asian counter parts. Furthermore, there was a difference in tarsal plate thickness in comparison to Chinese lower lids. There was no consistent fusion between the capsulopalpebral fascia and the orbital septum. No extension of the capsulopalpebral fascia to the skin was observed.