Anophthalmia
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| DiseasesDB | 29617 |
|---|---|
| eMedicine | oph/572 |
Anophthalmia, also known as anophthalmos (Greek: ανόφθαλμος, "without eye"), is the congenital absence of one or both eyes.
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[edit] Prevalence
True or primary anophthalmos is very rare. Only when there is complete absence of the ocular tissue within the orbit can the diagnosis of true anophthalmos be made. Extreme microphthalmos is seen more commonly. In this condition, a very small globe is present within the orbital soft tissue, which is not visible on initial examination.
[edit] Causes
Anophthalmia and microphthalmia may occur secondary to the arrest of development of the eye at various stages of growth of the optic vesicle. It is important to recognize microphthalmia because the development of the orbital region, as well as the lids and fornices, is dependent on the presence of a normal-sized eye in utero.
[edit] Treatments
Early treatment with various expanders or surgery, when necessary, will help decrease the orbital asymmetry and cosmetic deformities in these children.
[edit] External links
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