Journal Published Online: 01 July 2002
Volume 47, Issue 4

Facial Approximation: Globe Projection Guideline Falsified by Exophthalmometry Literature

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The projection of the cornea from the bony orbit has been determined, in facial approximation, by centrally locating the eyeball in the orbit and positioning the cornea so that its most anterior point falls in line with a tangent dropped from the mid-superior to the mid-inferior or-bital rim. However, there appears to be no scientific evidence to justify this guideline; yet, there have been numerous studies that measure globe pro-jection in living subjects, from the lateral orbit using an exophthalmometer. The aim of this study was to determine if the traditional facial approx-imation guideline is consistent with the exophthalmometry literature. MRI research shows that corneal projection is underestimated using the traditional facial approximation guideline. An underestimation is also strongly supported by statistical comparisons of globe projection measures taken using more traditional instruments (e.g., Hertel's exophthalmometer) to skull morphology (p 0.006). It is suggested that the traditional fa-cial approximation guideline not be used in future facial approximations since it appears to under-predict anterior globe projection by 4 mm on av-erage. It is also suggested that average exophthalmometer values be used until more accurate and precise ways of determining globe projection have been determined.

Author Information

Stephan, CN
The University of Adelaide, Australia
Pages: 6
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS15457J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15457J