Overview
Canthal anomaly is a term that was previously used in medical classification systems to describe abnormalities involving the canthi — the corners where the upper and lower eyelids meet on each side of the eye. This term has been marked as 'OBSOLETE' in the Orphanet rare disease database, meaning it is no longer used as a standalone diagnosis. Instead, specific canthal anomalies are now classified under more precise diagnostic terms. Canthal anomalies can include conditions such as telecanthus (increased distance between the inner corners of the eyes), dystopia canthorum (lateral displacement of the inner canthi), or epicanthus (skin folds covering the inner corners of the eyes). These features can occur in isolation or as part of broader genetic syndromes such as Waardenburg syndrome, blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES), or other craniofacial conditions. Because this term is obsolete, patients who were previously given this label should work with their doctors to obtain a more specific and current diagnosis. Treatment depends entirely on the underlying condition and may range from no treatment needed to surgical correction of the eyelid or canthal structures. A clinical geneticist or ophthalmologist can help determine the exact nature of the canthal anomaly and whether it is part of a larger syndrome.
Key symptoms:
Abnormal spacing between the inner corners of the eyesSkin folds covering the inner corners of the eyesEyes appearing widely spacedUnusual shape or position of the eyelid cornersFlattened nasal bridge appearanceDifficulty with tear drainageCosmetic differences around the eye area
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Canthal anomaly.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Canthal anomaly.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Canthal anomaly.
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Caregiver Resources
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Family & Caregiver Grants
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Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is this canthal anomaly an isolated finding or could it be part of a genetic syndrome?,Should my child have genetic testing to look for an underlying cause?,Is the canthal anomaly affecting my child's vision or tear drainage?,Would surgical correction be recommended, and if so, at what age?,Are there other specialists we should see?,What is the updated diagnosis now that 'canthal anomaly' is an obsolete term?,Could this condition be passed on to future children?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Canthal anomaly
What is OBSOLETE: Canthal anomaly?
Canthal anomaly is a term that was previously used in medical classification systems to describe abnormalities involving the canthi — the corners where the upper and lower eyelids meet on each side of the eye. This term has been marked as 'OBSOLETE' in the Orphanet rare disease database, meaning it is no longer used as a standalone diagnosis. Instead, specific canthal anomalies are now classified under more precise diagnostic terms. Canthal anomalies can include conditions such as telecanthus (increased distance between the inner corners of the eyes), dystopia canthorum (lateral displacement
At what age does OBSOLETE: Canthal anomaly typically begin?
Typical onset of OBSOLETE: Canthal anomaly is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.