Congenital and developmental eyelid abnormalities.

SUMMARY: Congenital and developmental eyelid abnormalities are among the most challenging problems encountered by the reconstructive surgeon. Eyelid abnormalities in children may present at birth as a result of abnormal embryogenesis (congenital) or they may occur at later stages as the child matures (developmental). These eyelid abnormalities include entropion, ectropion, ptosis, lid retraction, epicanthal folds, blepharophimosis, colobomas, cryptophthalmos, and canthal dystopias. Additional considerations include social factors regarding the child's self-awareness of their deformities, and specific anesthetic concerns related to their pediatric problems, which are often multisystem in nature. Current methods for evaluation and medical and surgical management are reviewed for each entity.