This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Eyelid sagging stems from factors other than just aging

In an observational study of two population-based cohorts, researchers found that there are other nongenetic risk factors for sagging eyelids in addition to aging.

The study included 5,578 older, unrelated adults from the Rotterdam Study population and 2,186 twins from the U.K. Adult Twin Registry (TwinsUK). Using multivariable multinomial logistic regression, the researchers analyzed age, sex, skin color, tanning ability, hormonal status in women, current smoking status, body mass index and sun protection behavior for all of the participants.

Among the Rotterdam study population, 17.8% showed dermatochalasis. The researchers found that age, male sex, lighter skin tone and a higher body mass index were all significant, independent risk factors for sagging eyelids. Additionally, current smoking had borderline significance.

Within the TwinsUK study, heritability was estimated to account for 60.9% of eyelid sagging, whereas 36.9% of eyelid sagging was associated with other environmental factors. A genome-wide association study of both study populations showed a genome-wide significant recessive protective effect of the C allele of rs11876749; the variant is located near TGIF1, which is known to be associated with skin aging, according to the researchers.

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.