Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The upper normal limit of exophthalmometry measurements in Caucasians has been reported to be approximately 21 mm. Published data on normal globe protrusion in Asians is limited. This study evaluates exophthalmometry measurements in normal Asian adults. Methods: Hertel exophthalmometry measurements were obtained from 89 randomly selected healthy Asian adults (43M, 46F; mean age 52 years, range 19 to 90). Subjects with any condition that might affect globe position or size including thyroid abnormalities were excluded. Measurements for the right and left eyes were averaged for each subject. Upper normal limits were defined as 2 standard deviations above the mean. Comparisons between genders were made using paired t-test. Results: The mean (+ standard deviation) measurement was 14.4 + 2.5 mm, ranging from 8 to 20 mm. There was a statistically significant difference between men and women (15.5 + 2.1 mm vs. 13.5 + 2.4 mm, p<0.001). No individual had greater than 1 mm difference between eyes. Conclusions: In healthy Asian adults, the upper normal limit of exophthalmometry measurement is 19.4 mm and is slightly greater in men than women, 19.7 mm and 18.3 mm, respectively. This is roughly 2 mm lower than the reported upper normal limit in Caucasians.
Keywords: orbit • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: pre • comparative anatomy