Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to analyze brow and ear position, and examine
the relationship between these structures in patients presenting for blepharoplasty
evaluation. A retrospective chart review was performed, which included all patients
presenting to one oculoplastic physician for a blepharoplasty evaluation from November,
2012 to March, 2014. The prevalence of brow ptosis and brow and ear asymmetry was
calculated; the proportional distribution was determined, and chi-square analysis
and the z-test of proportions were used to calculate the significance. Institutional
Review Board approval was obtained for this study. A total of 133 patients met the
inclusion criteria. Some degree of brow ptosis was noted in 83% of patients. Brow
asymmetry was found in 88% of patients, and ear asymmetry in 77%. Of those patients
who had asymmetry, 61% had the right brow lower and 75% had the right ear lower; 73%
of all patients had the brow and ear lower on the same side (p < 0.001). In this study, brow ptosis and asymmetry were quite common. In addition,
the side of the lower brow correlated strongly with the side of the lower ear, and
the right side structures were lower more often than the left. Patients presenting
for blepharoplasty evaluation may have an element of generalized facial asymmetry
which includes the brows and ears. These observations can be important for preoperative
planning and patient counseling.
Keywords
facial asymmetry - brow ptosis - blepharoplasty - brow asymmetry
