Ocular Manifestations of Craniofacial Disorders

Abstract

Congenital craniofacial anomalies are secondary to skull or soft tissue maldevelopment. Congenital skull developmental abnormalities may occur due to premature fusion of the calvarial or skull base sutures, termed craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis can be further divided into syndromic and nonsyndromic. Syndromic craniosynostosis often involves more than one calvarial suture and has a genetic etiology, while nonsyndromic craniosynostosis often involves a single isolated suture and has no genetic etiology. Soft tissue maldevelopment can be divided into clefting and branchial arch disorders. Sequelae to the ophthalmic and visual system may occur in patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies. These sequelae may include ptosis, exorbitism, tear drainage abnormalities, corneal exposure, corneal infection, strabismus, abnormal extraocular muscles, papilledema, optic atrophy and decreased vision secondary to high refractive errors, amblyopia, and optic nerve disease.