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Epicanthus: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

 
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Last reviewed: 18.10.2021
 
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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.

trusted-source[1], [2], [3]

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

What do need to examine?

How to examine?

Epictomy treatment

Small folds of the skin are leveled with YV-shaped plastics, large ones by means of Z-shaped Musiarde plastics.

trusted-source[4], [5]

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