• Alternative names
• Defination
• Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors

• Prevention
• Symptoms
• Signs & Tests
• Treatment

• Expectations
• Complications
• Calling Your health care provider

Alternative Names

Mongolian slant; downward slant; upward slant; anti-mongolian slant

Defination

The direction of the slant of a line drawn from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner.

Considerations
The palpebra are the upper and lower eyelids which, viewed together, make up the shape of the eye. A line drawn from corner to corner determines the slant of the eye (palpebral slant).

In non-Orientals, the eyes are normally horizontal. In Orientals, the eyes normally have some upward slant.

Abnormal slanting of the eye may be associated with some genetic disorders and syndromes. An upward slant (mongolian slant) refers to a line that is lower on the nasal side of the eye and slant upward toward the sides of the head.

A downward slant (anti-mongolian slant) refers to a line that is higher on the nasal side of the eye and slants downward toward the sides of the head.

The most commonly recognized (by the general public) syndrome associated with an abnormal palpebral slant is Down's syndrome. This disorder is associated with an upward slant, and also a fold of skin (epicanthal fold) is present in the inner corner of the eye.

Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors

Common causes

• Down's syndrome
• Apert syndrome
• Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome
• Treacher-Collins syndrome
• Aarskog syndrome
• Cohen syndrome

Note: There may be other causes of an abnormal palpebral slant. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for an abnormal palpebral slant, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Prevention

There is no special care for this sign. Instead, care must be appropriate for the particular condition of which an abnormal palpebral slant is a sign.

Symptoms

• There may be abnormal facial features.
  

Signs & Tests

Medical history questions documenting palpebral slant may include:

• What is the slant (upward or downward)?
• What other symptoms are also present?

Physical examination may include:
An infant with an abnormal palpebral slant generally has other symptoms and signs that, when taken together, define a specific syndrome or condition. Diagnosis of that condition will be based on a family history, medical history, and thorough physical evaluation.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed are: Laboratory studies such as chromosome studies, enzyme assays, X-rays, and metabolic studies may be ordered to confirm the presence of a suspected disorder.

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