Anophthalmia

Anophthalmia is the term used for an extreme form of microphthalmia where a child is born with a total lack of an eye, indicating some outside interruption during intrauterine foetal development very early after conception. Anophthalmia may be monocular (affecting one eye), or bilateral (both eyes). Obviously there is no sight and therefore no treatment can be offered. Cosmetically, however, sockets can be measured, moulds taken and artificial eyes (matched with parental or sibling eye colouring) fitted.

Some children with anophthalmia also have malformed sockets or partially sealed facial bones which further hinder fitment of artificial eyes. Many consultant ophthalmologists fit sponges into the empty sockets of small babies, whilst others prefer to wait until the child is old enough to tolerate an artificial eye. There appear to be differing views about this amongst consultant ophthalmologists as to which method is thought to be best.