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Biometric Study of Eyelid Shape and Dimensions of Different Races with References to Beauty

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery volume 36, pages 1236–1245 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

There are few studies that evaluate the differences in the perception of beauty and attractiveness of different races or ethnicities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are any actual differences in the configuration of beautiful eyes among different races.

Methods

Using seven composite faces of different races or ethnicities, photogrammetric measurements were performed to determine the relative differences in the average and attractive configuration of the eyes. Fourteen distance measurements and five angular measurements were performed for analyzing the morphological differences in the configuration of attractive and average faces.

Results

The results of our study found that attractive Korean faces have relatively wide-set eyes and that the medial and lateral eye fissure height is greater than that in average Korean faces. Attractive Korean faces have larger but not ptotic eyes than those in average Korean faces and they have a narrow double fold line; however, attractive Asian faces have a slightly higher double fold line. Attractive Korean or Asian faces do not have an epicanthus and there is a lot of exposure of white in the medial and lateral area of the eyes. Attractive Caucasian and African faces have an acute or keen shape to the eyes like the jaguar’s eye. Attractive Asian faces have a less steep slant of the palpebral fissure compared to that of the average Asian face, but attractive Caucasian and African faces have a steeper palpebral slant than that of average Caucasian and African faces. Attractive Caucasian and African faces have a relatively narrower palpebral fissure height and width than average Caucasian and African faces. Regardless of race, attractive faces have wide-set eyes and a lower brow position than average faces.

Conclusions

“Beautiful eyes” can be defined as youthful, brilliant, vivid, and attractive. We found that there are some common and some different characteristics in the configuration of beautiful eyes according to racial background.

Level of Evidence I

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Conflict of interest

None of the authors has a financial interest in any of the products or devices mentioned in this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University, #2240, Daehwa-Dong, Ilsan Seo-Gu, Goyang, Kyounggi-Do, 411-706, Republic of Korea

    Seung Chul Rhee & Kyoung-Sik Woo

  2. Teuim Plastic Surgery Clinic, ICL Building #590, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 135-893, Republic of Korea

    Bongsik Kwon

Authors
  1. Seung Chul Rhee
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  2. Kyoung-Sik Woo
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  3. Bongsik Kwon
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Correspondence to Seung Chul Rhee.

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Rhee, S.C., Woo, KS. & Kwon, B. Biometric Study of Eyelid Shape and Dimensions of Different Races with References to Beauty. Aesth Plast Surg 36, 1236–1245 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-012-9937-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-012-9937-7

Keywords

  • Beautiful eyes
  • Beauty Attractiveness
  • Racial difference
  • Ethnic difference
  • Blepharoplasty