[Emphasis on pathology and hemodynamics based classification of orbital vascular lesions]

Orbital vascular lesions, mainly including hemangioma and vascular malformation, are the most common disorders among orbital diseases. Vascular lesions of the orbit have clinically complicated presentations and are very hard to deal with. Selection of therapeutic modality on orbital vascular lesions requires an appropriate classification of them. An improved classification of these lesions has been proposed by the Orbital Society based on the pathological types and hemodynamic features and has been extensively used in developed countries. However, orbital vascular lesions are still being classified based on morphology in China. This classification system does not represent the pathological difference between hemangioma and vascular malformation of the orbit, nor the hemodynamic characteristics among different vascular malformations of the orbit. Morphology based classification has hampered scientific dialogue and confused clinicians, with occasionally serious consequences for patients. Thus, the use of a pathology and hemodynamics based classification of orbital vascular lesions should be highly advocated. We can expect that the use of appropriate classification can improve the management of these lesions in our country.