Aim

To assess refraction before and after treatment in children with periocular infantile haemangioma.

Material and methods

34 children (28 girls, 6 boys) with unilateral infantile haemangiomas at the stage of intense tumour proliferation, treated with propranolol or with combined therapy (propranolol, steroids, surgery) were enrolled. Refraction testing was performed using a hand-held “Retinomax” autorefractometer.

Results

The presence of refractive error before treatment was confirmed in 27 children, 24 of them had astigmatism (mean value 2.18 Dcyl). After treatment, refractive error was demonstrated in 15 children, including astigmatism (mean value 0.98 Dcyl) in 12 of them.

Conclusion

Periocular infantile haemangioma predisposes for refractive errors, especially astigmatism. Treatment of the tumor, undertaken at the intensive proliferation stage, effectively reduces refractive error and promotes its normalization.