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Ann P. Murchison, MD; Bryan A. Sires, MD, PhD; Arash Jian-Amadi, MD

Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2009;11(5):303-305.

Objective  To determine the normal range for eyelid margin reflex distance (MRD) in adults according to their ethnicity, age, and sex.

Methods  A prospective study of eyelid measurements in 112 consecutive adult African American, Asian, white, and Latino patients was compared using t test analysis. Measurements of MRD were collected by a single examiner across 5 months. Patients with conditions disposing to eyelid height changes were excluded.

Results  The MRD showed statistically significant variance among select ethnic groups. There was no statistical significance between sexes within each ethnic group.

Conclusions  Variance in MRD exists among ethnic groups. This information and further data on ethnicity and sex variance of eyelid measurements can be used for both diagnostic purposes and surgical treatment of patients for optimal results.

Author Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Murchison); Allure Laser and Medical Spa, Kirkland, Washington (Dr Sires); and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle (Dr Jian-Amadi).