Visual outcomes of treated periocular capillary haemangiomas in childhood: a 10-year review.
OBJECTIVE
To report our experiences of treating periocular capillary haemangioma with particular emphasis on visual outcomes.


METHODS
Patients who underwent treatment for periocular capillary haemangioma were identified, and a chart review was performed.


RESULTS
There were seventeen patients in the study. The main indications for treatment were increased size of lesion with threat of amblyopia and partial or full pupil occlusion. Seven patients required more than one type of treatment. Fourteen patients had intralesional steroid treatment and six patients had oral steroids. Intralesional steroids gave variable results with minimal side-effects, oral steroids were very effective but 4 out of 6 patients developed side-effects. The average pretreatment astigmatism was 2.4D and post treatment this had reduced to 1.3D. Final visual outcomes were available for 15 patients, 13 had visual acuity of 6/7.5 or better, two were amblyopic with vision of 6/9-2 and 6/18.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, intralesional steroids were used for localized lesions and oral steroids for diffuse haemangiomas with orbital involvement. Treatment especially with oral steroids was found to halt the proliferative phase and assist early haemangioma regression reducing ocular sequelae.
Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, BT12 6BA, Northern Ireland, UK. sandragawley@hotmail.com
Sandra D
SD
Gawley
Elizabeth A
EA
Bingham
Gerry
G
McGinnity
D000284:Administration, Oral; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018324:Hemangioma, Capillary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003907:Dexamethasone; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide