What is Hypertelorism (widely-spaced eyes)?
Hypertelorism (widely-spaced eyes) is defined by a larger distance than usual, between the eyes. Specifically, this means a larger-than-average distance between the inner eye corners and between the pupils. As the fetus develops in utero the eyes move closer together, but anything that interferes with this process of development can cause hypertelorism. The most common causes include a mass pushing the eyes apart, a cleft in the bone between the eyes, or a genetic syndrome. Usually, widely-spaced eyes as a symptom, do not cause vision loss or affect the vision of an affected individual.
Understanding eye-related symptoms and features
Symptoms may affect multiple parts of the body. Understanding which part of the body a symptom affects can help us to better understand the potential underlying causes of a symptom, including a rare disease or genetic syndrome.
The eye is a part of the ocular and vision systems of the body. The ocular system includes the eye and its central vision system (cornea, lens, eye fluids), all of the parts that make vision possible.
Symptoms affecting the eyes may be congenital, present at birth, or they may develop later in life. Sometimes surgery may be an option to correct them.
Symptoms relating to the eyes may affect their structure and function including their ability to see, other times they may simply affect the shape or appearance of the eye without any impact on vision.
Hypertelorism is commonly seen in conditions such as Apert syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, or Noonan syndrome. It may occur alongside other craniofacial abnormalities, including a broad nasal bridge or midface hypoplasia, contributing to the distinct facial phenotype of these syndromes.
What should I do next?
In some instances, widely-spaced eyes may be one of the features of a rare disease or genetic syndrome. To find out if someone with Hypertelorism, may be due to a genetic syndrome, it is important to have a consultation and evaluation with a clinical genetic specialist. Specialists may also suggest specific genetic testing or other types of tests to help reach a diagnosis. FDNA’s AI technology can help speed up the diagnostic process by analyzing facial features and other health information.