Observation is effective in the management of haemangioma of infancy.

An investigation published in the Journal of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus has demonstrated that using a combination of observation and amblyopia therapy is successful in mild cases of periocular haemangioma of infancy (HOI).

Dr Assad Jalil et al., Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester, UK, conducted a retrospective study on 41 children. The children were divided into groups according to treatment methods. This included observation, intralesional steroid injections (ILSI), and oral steroids.

Of the children included in the research, 24 had amblyopia at presentation, 18 children were in the observation group, 17 were administered ILSI and 6 children were given oral steroids.

Success was measured when HOI regression was completed before the child was 5 years of age (cosmetic group), astigmatism was reduced by 1 dioptre cylinder (DC) (astigmatism group) or if there was no evidence of amblyopia at the last follow-up (visual axis obscuration group).

The cosmetic group demonstrated a high success rate, with all but 2 patients treated. The visual axis obscuration group saw 6 of 7 patients treated.

Mean astigmatic correction of the patients was 1.65 ± 1.34 DC pre-treatment and 0.91 ± 1.17 DC post-treatment. This proved to be statistically significant and proved that, as well as observation, ILSI and oral steroids can be effective for treating lesions. However, their role has not been completely determined with regards to spontaneously resolving lesions.