Reticular Fiber Distribution in the Upper Eyelid of East Asians

PURPOSE: To examine the distribution of reticular fibers in the upper eyelid of East Asians. METHODS: Central sagittal sections of 24 upper eyelids were obtained from 15 East Asian cadavers aged 36 to 94 years. The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and stained with silver nitrate. RESULTS: Reticular fibers were abundantly distributed in the upper eyelids. Sheet-like reticular fibers were observed beneath the skin and conjunctiva. The hard tissue of the eyelid margin and the tarsal plate had a lot of reticular fibers. The areas of the tarsal plate without Meibomian glands also demonstrated abundant reticular fibers. The glands (Moll, Zeis, Meibomian, Krause, Wolfring, eccrine, and sebaceous), orbicularis oculi muscle fibers, levator muscle fibers, Müller muscle fibers, cilia, arteries, nerves, and muscle spindles were all surrounded by reticular fibers of comparatively high density. The levator aponeurosis, orbital septum, Whitnall's ligament, and intermuscular transverse ligament showed diffuse distributions of reticular fibers. In contrast, the subcutaneous connective tissue and adipose tissue demonstrated sparse or coarse distributions of reticular fibers. In elderly specimens, both intact and degenerated reticular fibers were observed. A lacerated orbital septum contained few reticular fibers. CONCLUSION: Reticular fibers were distributed a lot in the upper eyelids of East Asians, adapting flexibly to the characteristics of each structure. Elderly specimens exhibited degenerated reticular fibers.