Ophthalmic sequelae of infantile hemangiomas of the eyelids and orbit

The major findings in a study of 51 infants and children with infantile hemangioma of the eyelid were as follows: Visual complications occurred in 27 patients. The most common complications were amblyopia (in 22) and strabismus (in 17). Amblyopia of 6/60 (20/200) or less was probably caused by stimulus-deprivation, but amblyopia in the range of 6/30 (20/100) to 6/12 (20/40) was likely caused by anisometropia or strabismus. Eyelid occlusion of six months or more invariably resulted in amblyopia of 6/60 (20/200) or less. Occlusion for even one month carried a risk of amblyopia. Each child must be considered individually for therapy, which must be started as early as possible. Patients should receive careful follow-up from the beginning to prevent severe amblyopia. For difficult cases, we need more efficacious, safe methods to induce regression of these tumors.