Living with Lower eyelid coloboma
A birth difference of the lower eyelid, ranging from a small notch to a missing lid.
Understanding Lower eyelid coloboma
It can affect one or both eyes. The gap can be partial or full-thickness, from a small notch to the entire lid being absent. It is usually triangular and located on the outer third of the lid. It may occur on its own, with facial clefts, or as part of a syndrome.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list. Its summary describes this feature:
- Notch or gap in the lower eyelid
- Triangular gap on the outer third of the lid
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include ear, nose, and throat specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: World Craniofacial Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Prevent Blindness America and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says it is a developmental difference that forms during early development before birth. It doesn't describe a specific cause.
Also known as: cleft lower eyelid; coloboma of inferior eyelid; coloboma of lower eyelid; full thickness defect of the lower eyelid; inferior palpebral coloboma; lower lid coloboma
Patient organizations
- Prevent Blindness AmericaLower eyelid coloboma · United States
- World Craniofacial FoundationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- Children's Craniofacial AssociationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- FACES: The National Craniofacial AssociationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- myFaceCraniofacial anomalies · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Lower eyelid coloboma.
Explore research for Lower eyelid coloboma
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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