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Start NowEpicanthic fold is the semi-lunar skin fold located at the medial canthus. It is a common lid condition obscuring the view of the medial canthus. It is mainly bilateral but can be unilateral too and usually appears along the upper eyelids but can also appear along the lower eyelids. It is normal in Asians, but in non-Asians, it is an abnormal condition.Epicanthal folds are formed due to the excess growth and development of the skin over the nasal bridge.There are 4 types of epicanthic folds.1. Epicanthus tarsalis: The most common upper eyelid type.2. Epicanthus inversus: The most common lower eyelid type.3. Epicanthus palpebralis: Includes both lower and upper eyelids.4. Epicanthus superciliaris: arises from the brown and goes down to the lacrimal sac. (Internal link coming soon)
The severity of the condition depends on the degree of lacrimal caruncle (the pink nodule at the medial corner of the eye) obscuration. Severe epicanthic folds cover nearly all he caruncle, moderate cover more than half, and mild cover less than third.
The nasal bridge is usually associated with epicanthic folds. People with prominent epicanthic folds tend to have lower nasal bridges than people with higher nasal bridges. They are also associated with ancestry, certain health issues, ageing, and congenital anomalies such as Down’s syndrome.Epicanthoplasty is usually used to remove epicanthic folds. It is one of the most challenging procedures since it may affect the lacrimal canals, which are responsible for draining tears. The procedure usually leaves scars and should be followed by other corrective techniques.
Epicanthic folds form due to the excess growth and development of the skin over the lower-based nose bridges. Many factors affect the formation of epicanthic folds including age, ancestry, and certain health problems.
Epicanthic folds usually disappear during gestation before the fetus is 6 months old. However, some babies are born with them and they may persist/reappear during the development stages of children. They usually disappear completely when the nasal bridge develops completely. (Internal link coming soon)
Epicanthic folds are common in certain ethnicities including Asians, Native Americans, and the Malagasy. It is a characteristic feature of certain populations. Nearly 90% of East and Southeast Asians. (Internal link coming soon)
Epicanthic folds are sometimes one of the features of certain medical conditions, especially congenital anomalies. These medical conditions are characterized by the failure of maturation of the nasal bridge, which allows the epicanthi folds to grow and appear. 60% of Down syndrome people have epicanthic folds. In addition, Williams syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Blepharophimosis syndrome, Phenylketonuria (PKU), Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Zellweger syndrome individuals also have epicanthic folds. (Internal link coming soon)
Fetal alcohol syndrome happens due to the consumption of alcohol by pregnant women. It is characterized by brain damages and growth problems. Its features vary from one child to another, but the damages are not reversible.Children with fetal alcohol syndrome usually have prominent epicanthic folds. (Internal link coming soon)
Some causes of epicanthic folds are inevitable such as Down syndrome and aging. However, other causes such as fetal alcohol syndrome can be avoided. Also, since it’s more predominant in certain Asian ethnic groups, it is determined by facial genetics and there are no reasonable ways to prevent them.
Women who have prominent epicanthic folds, but they cannot get rid of them surgically can hide them via the use of makeup. Many Internal link coming soon can hide your epicanthic folds completely.
Consuming alcohol during pregnancy causes severe damages to your child’s brain, growth, and development including epicanthic folds. Avoid drinking too much alcohol during pregnancy to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome from happening in the first place.
Surgical intervention is rare in people who have epicanthic folds since the condition resolves spontaneously in almost all cases due to the development of a nasal bridge. However, several surgical procedures are available if the epicanthic folds intervened with vision.
If you have a mild degree of epicanthic folds, this operation may be the best choice for your condition. It is a simple procedure that is usually done for cosmetic purposes in non-Asian people.
This technique is for difficult conditions and broad epicanthic folds. It depends on removing the excess muscles and deep tissues under the medial epicanthic folds. Studies show that this procedure is the best in people whose epicanthic folds are considered a deformity. It also requires about a year of regular follow-up and the results are satisfying in nearly all patients. (Internal link coming soon)
People with moderate epicanthus can benefit from this procedure, especially if their vision is not fully affected by the epicanthic folds yet. It is an effective procedure that has been used for decades to obliterate the epicanthus. It is even simpler than the ‘V’ Operation. (Internal link coming soon)
This procedure has been modified several times to provide the best results. It is used for the most complex conditions because it is difficult and requires a professional plastic surgeon who specializes in this type of surgery. The principle of this technique is the formation of the new epicanthus. It is suitable for all types of epicanthic folds and the results are good and satisfying in most cases. (Internal link coming soon)
This procedure is common among Asians to correct any problems with their creases and increase their quality regarding their shapes, height, depth, and softness. The procedure can increase the thickness of the fibrous tracts of the eyelids. The procedure depends on creating adhesion between the skin and the superior tarsal border. Epicanthic folds are usually corrected along with the rest of the creases. It is mainly used for cosmetic purposes. (Internal link coming soon)
They are usually used to address the severity of the condition and figure out how it will be solved surgically. Some cases respond to the injection of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), but most cases need surgical corrections. The use of dermal fillers usually follows surgical procedures to improve the condition and remove any scars that may result due to the blepharoplasty. (Internal link coming soon)
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