A hemangioma is a benign tumor formation caused by anomalous growth of the blood vessels. Hemangiomas can be found all over the body but most often on the face and neck. Even though they can be there at birth, hemangiomas most often occur during the first six months of the life of the child.
There are two types of hemangiomas:
- Capillary hemangiomas – a capillary hemangioma occurs on the outer layers of the skin
- Deep hemangiomas – in the deeper layers of the skin or around the eye
Capillary hemangiomas can occur on the eyelids, on the surface of the eye (the conjunctiva) or in the eye socket (orbit). When this happens, hemangiomas can impair normal development of the eyes and eventually lead to vision problems such as amblyopia and glaucoma.
Hemangiomas slowly go away in time. Half of them disappear until the age of 5 and 90% of them disappear until the age of nine.
Capillary hemangiomas usually develop in the first 6 months. They can show as a red to red-purple spot or raised skin lesions.
The treatment of hemangiomas depends on their position, size and degree of impairment and whether it causes vision problems. Not all hemangiomas must be treated. Hemangiomas close to the eye should be followed to guarantee that they won’t cause vision issues.