Palpebral Slant-Eye
Also known as: Mongolian slant
What is palpebral slant-eye?
The medical term palpebral refers to the upper and lower eyelids. A palpebral slant refers to a slanted invisible line from the inside corners where the eyelids come together to the outside corner where they come together.
What might cause palpebral slant-eye?
A palpebral slant, as well as a small fold of skin known as the epicanthal fold are normal in people of Asian descent. In others, it may be a sign of certain disorders present at birth, including:
- Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
- Down syndrome
- Other genetic disorders
How can it be treated?
If you are of Asian descent and have palpebral slant-eye, no action is needed. This is completely normal.
When should you seek medical attention?
If a child is born with palpebral slant-eye and has other symptoms that may be indicative of a genetic condition, the doctor will likely conduct additional testing to determine an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Reviewed by: Luxme Hariharan, MD
This page was last updated on: February 13, 2020 11:34 AM