Epicanthus: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Epicanthus - half-lunar vertical folds of the skin between the upper and lower eyelids, partially covering the inner corner of the eye gap and changing its configuration, which creates a false impression of the presence of convergent strabismus.
Epicanthus is defined in most children up to 6 months, in adults it is a characteristic feature of representatives of the Mongoloid race. Normally epicanthus is observed in children with a flat bridge of the nose, as it develops, most of the folds gradually decrease with the growth of the child and rarely persists to 7 years. Bilateral epicanthus is a frequently observed sign of various chromosomal abnormalities (Down's syndrome). The fold can close the inner corner of the eye, resulting in a false impression of the presence of convergent strabismus.
[Symptoms of Epicanthus
- Epicanthus palpebralis. Skin folds are symmetrically distributed between the upper and lower eyelids. The most common among Caucasians:
- Epicanthus tarsalis. Skin folds begin from the middle of the upper eyelid and extend medially to the angle of the eye. The most common among the inhabitants of the East;
- Epicanthus inversus. Skin folds begin in the lower eyelid and extend upward, to the medial angle of the eye gap. There is often a combination with a syndrome of blepharophimosis;
- Epicanthus superciliaris. Skin folds start from the eyebrow and fall down and laterally to the nose.
Clinical forms of epicanthus. A) Superciliary, b) palpebral, c) tarsal, d) reverse
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