Typical Eye Related Maladies in Infants and their Treatments

Raymond E. Peters, Master Ocularist

Microphthalmia

In a lot of cases children are born with a condition called Microphthalmia. Microphthalmia is a congenital condition found in infants, who suffer from an abnormally formed eye or the eye does not form to the full size.

The prosthetic procedures in most of these cases are basically the same as that of an adult. However in some cases the socket is not large enough and the child must go through several stages of increases. By increasing conformers every so many months (the exact length between changes will be determined by your ocularist) , we are careful to stretch the socket and thereby stimulate a natural growth rate, so that the area affected on the child will thereby grow at a normal rate. Once the eye gains to an acceptable size then a prosthetic eye is made to fit it.

Most conformers are made from clear plastic but if the socket size has adequate volume, an actual prosthesis can be made to match the companion eye. This is very important to children, especially in their formative years, because of the immeasurable benefit that a well crafted prosthetic can add to their self image and the comfort of the child's parents.

There are also surgical procedures now available that implant inflatable silicone implants to help to increase the volume of the socket, and other types of implants that will help in the mobility, but it is imperative that the child should be monitored very closely in their growing years in order to conform to the natural size of their remaining eye.

Retinoblastoma

Another condition that a child may be born with is Retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is a tumor that can be cancerous and affect the health of the youngster. These tumors are normally removed and when involved in the body of the eye ball, the eye ball is unfortunately, totally removed in order to save the child from further complications.

However, once the surgical procedures have been completed, an ocular prosthesis can be made in just the same way as you would make a prosthesis for a normally fitted enucleated socket.

Treatment and Monitoring

For these young patients who have to undergo treatment for Retinoblastoma or Microphthalmia, it is always recommended that they be examined by their Ophthalmologist or surgeon at least once every six months or once a year. Is it very important that the artificial eye should be adjusted accordingly to compensate for their growth rate.

These two particular maladies can be a harsh blow to a young child, but, with the proper treatment, a well crafted prosthesis, and the proper monitoring, a child can play and grow shoulder to shoulder with their peers.