A capillary hemangioma, colloquially also called a "strawberry mark" or "blood sponge", is a benign vascular tumor that consists of small, abnormally grown blood capillaries. In the area of the eyes, a hemangioma can affect vision and therefore requires ophthalmological monitoring.
Capillary hemangiomas follow a typical growth pattern:
Premature babies and girls are more frequently affected.
A hemangioma on the upper eyelid can, through pressure on the eyeball, change its shape and cause a corneal curvature (astigmatism). If this is not corrected in time, amblyopia (lazy eye) can develop. If the hemangioma also covers the pupil, the visual axis is blocked, a particularly urgent situation.
A hemangioma inside the orbit can compress the eyeball, change its shape, and likewise cause astigmatism and amblyopia. In rare cases it can restrict eye movements (squint) or compress the optic nerve.
No. Most hemangiomas in the eye area are simply observed, since they regress on their own. Treatment is only necessary when the hemangioma threatens visual development, for example through astigmatism, covering of the visual axis, or pressure on the optic nerve.
Steroids (as tablets, injection directly into the tumor, or as a cream) used to be the treatment of choice. Due to possible side effects (growth retardation, cataract, raised intraocular pressure), they are used less often today.
Superficial, thin hemangiomas can be treated with laser procedures to stop growth, reduce size, or lighten the color.
In rare cases, surgical removal is useful, for example for small, clearly defined tumors just under the skin.
Regardless of whether the hemangioma is treated or not, the following measures are important:
If you notice a redness or swelling on your baby's eyelid that grows larger in the first weeks of life, have it assessed by an ophthalmologist promptly. Most hemangiomas are harmless and regress on their own, but a timely assessment and monitoring of vision are important to prevent amblyopia.