Facial aging is a dynamic process involving the aging of soft tissue and bony structures. The bony orbit volume has been shown to increase with age. In this study, we will evaluate how specific bony aspects of the orbit change with age. Facial bone 3D CT scans were obtained from 60 Caucasian patients. Ten male and ten female patients were placed in each of three age categories (25-44, 45-64, and 65+). Orbit length was then measured as a line from the posterior lacrimal crest to the frontozygomatic suture. The height from this line to the superior orbital rim and inferior orbital rim was then taken at nine equal increments along this axis (referred to as x-coordinates 10 to 90). Orbital aperture area was also measured on each 3D model. The data was then analyzed with Student's t-test. The orbit length and orbital aperture area in both the male and female subjects showed a significant increase with increasing age. There was a significant increase in height of the superior orbital rim medially in both genders. The inferior orbital rim receded significantly laterally in our female population. These results suggest that the bony elements of the orbit change dramatically with age.
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