J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2020 Sep;61(9):992-998. 10.3341/jkos.2020.61.9.992.

The Change of Eyebrow Height According to Frontalis Muscle Function after Upper Lid Blepharoplasty

• Choi SM
• Park IK
• Shin JH

• KMID: 2506472
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2020.61.9.992

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the change in eyebrow position and three parts of brow according to frontalis muscle (FM) function after upper lid blepharoplasty.
Methods
We subdivided 45 patients who had undergone upper eyelid blepharoplasty into three groups according to FM function: Group 1 (Poor, <4 mm), Group 2 (Good, ≥4 mm and <8 mm), and Group 3 (Excellent, ≥8 mm). Photographs of patients were taken before and three months after surgery. We analyzed brow descent and brow-to-pupil (BPD), brow-to-medial canthus distance (BMCD), brow-to-lateral canthus distance (BLCD) of each group.
Results
Mean FM function was measured as follows: Group 1 (2.11 ± 0.94 mm), Group 2 (6.2 ± 1.24 mm), Group 3 (10.25 ± 1.25 mm). There was no significant difference in the degree of eyebrow height change between Group 2 and 3, but Group 1 showed significant eyebrow height descent compared Group 2 and 3 (p < 0.05). In all three groups, the lateral brow position was significantly lowered compared to middle or medial brow position after blepharoplasty (p < 0.04). After blepharoplasty, 3 eyebrow ptosis occurred in Group 1, not in Group 2 and 3.
Conclusions
Patients with poor FM function less than 4 mm (Group 1) and BLCD of all group showed significant eyebrow descent after blepharoplasty. Since the weaker FM function and FM connection with eyebrow, the more lowered eyebrow after blepharoplasty, the evaluation of FM function may help predict the lowering of eyebrow height after blepharoplasty and decide whether to perform brow lift at the same time.

Keyword

Blepharoplasty; Brow height; Eyebrows; Frontalis muscle