Abstract
Purpose::
Capillary hemangiomas of the eyelids and orbit can cause both refractive and occlusive amblyopia. The aim of this study is to determine which characteristics of the hemangioma are related to the need for spectacle wear after oral or injection steroids or surgical treatment of the hemangioma.
Methods::
From the database of 129 patients with capillary hemangiomas previously described by Schwartz et al., 54 patients were treated for amblyogenic factors.1 This study is a retrospective chart review of the 12 patients in this subgroup requiring spectacles after treatment.
Results::
5 of the 28 (18%) patients whose hemangioma was treated secondary to astigmatism required spectacles after treatment. These patients had at least 1.25 diopters difference in astigmatism between their two eyes. 3 of the 15 (20%) patients whose hemangioma was treated secondary to threatened occlusion of the visual axis required spectacles after treatment. 2 of the 3 patients developed occlusion of the visual axis during treatment. 4 of the 11 (36%) patients whose hemangioma was treated secondary to occlusion of the visual axis required spectacles after treatment. In all, 7 of the 12 patients treated with spectacles had occlusion at one point in time. (One patient treated for astigmatism had presented with occlusion to another physician.) . In addition, 11 of the 12 patients had a hemangioma affecting the upper eyelid. 7 of the 54 patients treated for amblyopia had globe displacement. 3 of the 7 (43%) required spectacles after treatment.
Conclusions::
Characteristics most often associated with the need for spectacles include anisometropic astigmatism greater than 1.25 diopters, occlusion of the pupil, location in the upper eyelid, and globe displacement.1 Schwartz SR, Blei F, Ceisler E, Steele M, Furlan L, Kodsi S. Risk Factors For Amblyopia in Children With Capillary Hemangiomas of the Eyelids and Orbit. JAAPOS. 2006; 10 (3) 262-268.
Keywords: amblyopia • spectacle lens