Bilateral Limbal Dermoid as an Isolated Finding in a Child

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Limbal dermoids are rare congenital tumors presenting at the corneoscleral junction.
• These choristomas can vary in size and may impact visual acuity by obstructing the visual axis or inducing astigmatism.

Observation:

• A 4-year-old girl presented with bilateral limbal dermoids, one small and inferotemporal, the other large and visual axis-obstructing.
• Pre-operative visual acuity was 20/50 (right eye) and 20/40 (left eye).

Findings:

• Surgical management included limbal dermoid excision and lamellar keratoplasty for the larger lesion, and simple excision for the smaller one.
• Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of dermoid tumors.
• Post-operative follow-up at 2 years showed improved visual acuity to 20/30 in both eyes.

Implications:

• Surgical intervention for limbal dermoids can yield favorable cosmetic and visual results.
• Simple excision is effective for smaller lesions, while larger ones may require more complex procedures.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent amblyopia and visual impairment.