Ocular Morbidity and Visual Outcomes in Rare Craniofacial Clefts: A Contemporary Cohort Study of 102 Cases

Over one-third of patients with rare craniofacial clefts experience vision loss. Contrary to traditional assumptions that superior clefts pose the greatest threat to vision, inferior clefts carry a disproportionately high risk of visual impairment. These findings underscore the need for early, cleft-specific ophthalmologic evaluation, coordinated multidisciplinary care, and immediate protective measures to prevent irreversible vision loss and guide reconstructive planning.