Eye Conformers as Socket Expanders in Children: Experience at a Tertiary Eye Hospital in Central Saudi Arabia

Purpose To share our experience with pediatric orbital expansion using eye conformers for anophthalmia and microphthalmia and parental feedback on outcomes. Methods Cases of congenital anophthalmia and severe microphthalmia were managed with eye conformers for orbital expansion and formation of lid fornices at the anaplastology clinic of King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected on the globe adaptation process and the perceived achievements by the parents at different follow-up visits. Parental feedback was collected on their acceptance of eye conformer use to address anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Results The anophthalmia/microphthalmia annual prevalence was 1.7 per 10,000 live births in Saudi Arabia. Of the 45 sockets treated for orbital expansion since 2014, 15 children were managed by using eye conformers. Six children had a bilateral birth defect. Severe microphthalmia was in seven children while eight children had anophthalmos. At the first visit, small eye conformers (nine), stem eye conformer (four), symblepharon ring (one), and hydrogel eye conformer (one) were fitted. After multiple visits and follow-ups, at the two-year follow-up, seven (46.7%) children were fitted while three (20%) were under the process of prosthesis fitting, as volume expansion was satisfactory. Parents of these children replied that they prefer this method over others and would recommend others to follow the same. Conclusions Orbital expansion and lid fornices formation by using an eye conformer is effective, easy, and acceptable to parents. It can be initiated in the early months of a child’s life.