Ocular findings in nevus flammeus

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Genetics

Background:

• Nevus flammeus, commonly known as port wine stain, is a congenital vascular malformation.
• Facial port wine stains can be associated with underlying neurological and ocular conditions.
• The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) has three main sensory branches (V1, V2, V3) supplying the face.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between the location of facial nevus flammeus and the presence of glaucoma.
• To determine if specific trigeminal nerve distributions of port wine stains are indicative of ocular complications.

Main Methods:

• Ophthalmic examination of 50 patients diagnosed with facial nevus flammeus.
• Categorization of nevus flammeus based on involvement of trigeminal nerve sensory branches (V1 and V2).
• Assessment for glaucoma and glaucoma suspect status in all participants.

Main Results:

• Of 26 patients with nevus flammeus involving both V1 and V2 trigeminal nerve areas, 4 were diagnosed with glaucoma and 8 were identified as glaucoma suspects.
• No glaucoma or glaucoma suspects were found in patients where the nevus flammeus involved only the V1 or V2 distribution.
• The study highlights a significant association between extensive facial port wine stains and glaucoma.

Conclusions:

• Facial nevus flammeus involving the V1 and V2 trigeminal nerve distributions presents an increased risk for developing glaucoma.
• Periodic ocular assessments are crucial for patients with extensive facial port wine stains due to the uncertain onset of glaucoma.
• Localized port wine stains limited to V1 or V2 alone do not appear to be associated with glaucoma.