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.

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Reviewed by: Luxme Hariharan, MD

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:51 PM