Palpebral fissure: the shape and measure of the eye
Quick facts
- Definition
- The opening between the upper and lower eyelids, from one corner of the eye to the other.
- Measurements
- Width (horizontal) and height (vertical) of the fissure.
- Tilt
- Given by the position of the outer corner relative to the inner one.
- Changes with
- Age, ptosis, brow position and anatomical variation.
- Relevance
- Defines the expression of the eyes and how the periorbital area reads.
The palpebral fissure is the opening of the eye, the space between the upper and lower eyelids, from one corner to the other. Its shape is one of the main hallmarks of the eyes: a more open or more closed eye, rounder or more elongated, with the outer corner higher or lower. Understanding the fissure helps assess the periorbital area objectively.
What is measured in the palpebral fissure?
| Measurement | What it is |
|---|---|
| Width | Horizontal distance between the inner and outer corners |
| Height | Vertical distance between the eyelids with the gaze straight ahead |
| Tilt | Position of the outer corner relative to the inner one, see eye corner tilt |
Values vary by family background and from person to person; there is no "right" measurement. The width is related to the intercanthal distance, and the height is influenced by the muscle that lifts the eyelid.
What changes with age and local factors?
Over time, the skin over the eyelid may become redundant, the brow may drop and the fissure may look smaller. Eyelid ptosis reduces the opening. On the lower eyelid, the position of the margin relative to the iris can expose the white of the eye, the visible sclera. The brow position also changes how the eye reads.
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
The eyes are one of the central points of facial assessment. Toxin in the glabella and forehead, for example, can change the brow position and, with it, the look of the fissure. Filling the periorbital area without looking at the fissure and the position of the eyelids can change the expression in unexpected ways.
In Harmy
The Glabella and Tear Trough points are in areas next to the eye. The projection is illustrative and does not measure the palpebral fissure.
Also known as: eyelid opening.
Frequently asked questions
What is the palpebral fissure?
It is the opening of the eye, the space between the upper and lower eyelids. Its width, height and tilt help describe the shape of the eye and the type of gaze.
Can toxin change the palpebral fissure?
It can, indirectly, by changing the position of the brow or the eyelid. That is also why assessing the eyes before and after the procedure is important.