Congenital upper lid colobomas: management and visual outcome.

PURPOSE: Congenital upper lid colobomas may be associated with ocular and systemic anomalies. The ophthalmologist's role involves both the diagnosis and management of their various ocular structural defects and management of the visual development.

METHODS: All cases of congenital eyelid colobomas referred to the Singapore National Eye Centre between July 1992 and July 1995 were assessed for the extent of the eyelid defect, associated ocular anomalies, status of the cornea, and any systemic anomalies.

RESULTS: Four infants were tested during this period. The mean follow-up was 25 months (range, 16 to 30 months). All required surgical correction of their eyelid defects before 2 years of age. The patients also had refractive errors requiring amblyopia management. Three of the babies also needed other surgical procedures.

CONCLUSIONS: Congenital upper eyelid colobomas are a potential threat to vision at an early age and a significant cosmetic blemish later in life. Early surgical intervention is usually required when the defect is larger than one third of the eyelid margin. Close monitoring of the visual development of patients with congenital upper eyelid colobomas is also essential since the risk of amblyopia in these patients is high.