Background: During childhood the spectrum of disorders of the eyelid, the lacrimal drainage system and the orbit as well as the subsequent therapeutic management differ from those in adults.
Objectives: This review outlines the clinical picture and treatment of the most common eyelid, lacrimal drainage and orbital diseases in childhood.
Methods: The study comprises a PubMed literature review and own clinical results.
Results: The most common eyelid disorders in childhood include congenital malpositions, such as ptosis or entropium, which may require fast surgical correction in order to prevent amblyopia. For connatal dacryostenosis a step-by-step therapeutic approach is recommended: (1) conservative treatment using lacrimal sac massage, astringent eye and nose drops, (2) irrigation and probing of the nasolacrimal system and (3) irrigation, probing and silastic tube intubation under general anesthesia. Benign orbital lesions such as dermoid cysts can be removed at pre-school age. Using systemic beta blockers is a novel conservative approach in the treatment of capillary hemangioma, which should precede surgical interventions.
Conclusion: Eyelid and orbital diseases during childhood may require fast surgical intervention to prevent amblyopia. Initial conservative treatment is recommended for connatal dacryostenosis and capillary hemangioma.