Can congenital microphthalmia still develop and grow larger?
Dec 09, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cui Xin
Introduction
Congenital microphthalmia refers to abnormally small eyes present at birth, which do not continue to grow or develop further. It is a congenital eye developmental anomaly that forms during the embryonic period, resulting in eyes that appear smaller than normal. It is often associated with symptoms such as impaired vision, nystagmus, and lens opacities. Although prompt treatment can help preserve vision and improve cosmetic appearance, it cannot induce further growth or development of the congenitally small eye.
Congenital microphthalmia generally refers to a congenital condition in which the eyeball is abnormally small and typically does not continue to grow or develop further.
Congenital microphthalmia is a developmental anomaly of the eye present at birth, originating during embryonic development. It is characterized by an axial length of the eyeball that is shorter than the normal standard for the patient's age group. It may be associated with other ocular malformations and primarily results in eyes that appear smaller than normal, along with symptoms such as impaired vision, nystagmus, and lens opacities. Patients are usually advised to undergo active treatment under medical guidance, such as wearing cosmetic corneal contact lenses, using artificial scleral shells, or undergoing surgical procedures like orbital implantation or conjunctival sac reconstruction as directed by a physician. These treatments can maximize visual preservation, improve cosmetic appearance, and prevent adverse effects on orbital and facial development; however, they do not enable the congenitally small eyeball to resume growth.
Without timely and effective treatment, the child's orbital and facial development may be affected, thereby impacting their quality of life.
