[An unusual cause of amblyopia ex anisometropia]

The case history is reported of an infant with a capillary haemangioma in the superior temporal quadrant of the anterior right orbit. Radiotherapy was not performed in view of the well-known tendency of these tumours to involute. Constant pressure on the globe led to marked oblique astigmatism of the eye with consequent amblyopia, in spite of complete regression of the lesion. The tendency of such tumours to regress must be weighed against possible irreversible functional impairment when a decision is made as regards treatment of neonatal haemangiomas in the region of the orbit.