Ablepharon

What it means

Absent eyelids.

In ablepharon, the globe is continuously exposed. It is arguable whether true aplasia of the eyelid exists, or whether this represents severe hypoplasia. Nevertheless, as it is difficult or impossible to make this distinction on clinical grounds, the term was felt to be useful.

Rare diseases that can present with this2

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Ablepharon of eyelid · Agenesis of eyelids · Aplasia of the eyelids · Missing eyelids