Treatment:

Superficial or "strawberry" hemangiomas often are not treated. When they are allowed to disappear on their own, the result is usually normal-appearing skin. In some cases, a laser may be used to remove the small vessels.

Cavernous hemangiomas that involve the eyelid and block vision are generally treated with steroid injections or laser treatments. These quickly reduce the size of the lesions, allowing vision to develop normally. Large cavernous hemangiomas or mixed hemangiomas may be treated with oral steroids and injections of steroids directly into the hemangioma.

Recently, lasers have been used to reduce the size of the hemangiomas. Lasers that emit yellow light damage the vessels in the hemangioma without damaging the skin over it. Some physicians use a combination of steroid injection and laser therapy.

Expectations (prognosis):

Small, superficial hemangiomas often disappear on their own. About 50% go away by age 5, and 90% are gone by age 9.

Complications:

• Bleeding (especially if the hemangioma is injured)
• Problems with breathing and eating
• Psychological problems, from skin appearance
• Secondary infections and sores
• Visible changes in the skin
• Vision problems (amblyopia, strabismus)

Calling your health care provider:

All birthmarks, including hemangiomas, should be evaluated by the health care provider during a routine examination.

Hemangiomas of the eyelid may interfere with the development of normal vision and must be treated in the first few months of life. Hemangiomas that interfere with breathing, feeding, or other vital functions should also be treated early.