Conservative Surgical Management of a Grade III Corneal Dermoid

To present a rare, unique, grade III corneal dermoid treated with conservative surgical management.

An 8-month-old boy was admitted to our clinic with a lesion on the central cornea of the right eye and a corneal mass in the left eye. The mass had a skin-like surface and protruded to the outside of the palpebral fissure. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the orbits showed a large cyst covering most of the cornea and the absence of the anterior chamber and lens. The dermoid was excised and sent for histopathological examination. The cornea was reconstructed using the partial thickness scleral graft.

The histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of a grade III corneal dermoid. On examination 1 year after the surgery, the orbital and globe volumes were the same, and the intraocular pressure was normal.

This is likely the first report of an unusual case in which a grade III corneal dermoid with an anterior staphyloma was treated by anterior segment reconstruction using an autologous partial thickness scleral graft. We believe that this technique has the advantage that it stimulates orbital and facial development and has good cosmetic results.