The palpebral slant is the direction of the slant of a line drawn from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner.

The palpebra are the upper and lower eyelids which, viewed together, make up the shape of the eye. A line drawn from the inner corner to the outer corner determines the slant of the eye, or palpebral slant. Slanting and a fold of skin (epicanthal fold) are normal in people of Asian descent.

Abnormal slanting of the eye may be associated with some genetic disorders and syndromes. The most common syndrome associated with an abnormal palpebral slant is Down syndrome. Persons with Down syndrome often also have an epicanthal fold in the inner corner of the eye.

Palpebral slant may not be associated with any other defect. However, in some cases, it may be due to:

• Down syndrome
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Certain genetic disorders