Purpose: To better characterize congenital anophthalmos and microphthalmos in order to distinguish which patients need surgical treatment.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study of 42 cases with congenital anophthalmos and microphthalmos over a 16 years period was performed. Seven anophthalmos, 20 microphthalmic globes with no associated colobomatous orbital cyst and 15 microphthalmic globes associated with colobomatous orbital cyst were observed. Complete history, pediatrical and ophthalmological examination, electrophysiological feature, oculo-cerebral imagery and karyotype on each of the patients were reviewed.
Results: Among all patients, lack of development of the lids was observed in 45% of cases. In our group of anophthalmos, 100% had micro-orbit. In our group of microphthalmic globes with no associated colobomatous orbital cyst, 30% had micro-orbit and in our group of microphthalmic globes associated with colobomatous orbital cyst, 6% had micro-orbit. 75% of patients had ocular anomalies and 39% had systemic anomalies, mostly on the face. Aetiology were found in 36% of cases. Visual evoked potentials and retinal electric feature were useful to better determine visual function.
Conclusion: Expandable orbital prosthesis would appear to be the most effective therapy for certain cases of anophthalmos and microphthalmos with micro-orbit.