Anophthalmos

The term "anophthalmos" is used when there is no eye. It is possible to have a significantly reduced in size, barely visible rudimentary eyeball. There are many transitional conditions from microphthalmos to anophthalmos.

• As a rule, the pathology is sporadic, the cause of its occurrence is unknown. Group cases of this anomaly have been described.
• May present as an extreme form of microphthalmos in families with colobomatous microphthalmos.
• Adverse environmental influences, such as X-rays, drug use during pregnancy (LSD); however, it is usually not possible to identify the main factor that provokes the occurrence of this pathology.

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Clinical examination

It is necessary to examine the child to detect the presence of residual light perception, for example, in the form of a startle reflex to a photographic flash. To study the residual function, it is also advisable to study visual evoked potentials (VEP). The need to increase the volume of the orbit is determined by assessing its size and shape. If the pathology is unilateral, the fellow eye is carefully examined.

The parents, brothers and sisters of the sick child are examined to rule out the presence of colobomas.

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Treatment of anophthalmos

Stimulation of orbital growth using orbital implants, progressively larger ocular prostheses, and, in older children, surgery.

Early initiation of pleoptic treatment for any residual vision, timely stimulation of general development and selection of the optimal form of education for the sick child.

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