Congenital disorders of the optic nerve: excavations and hypoplasia

MANAGEMENT OF RETINAL DETACHMENT ASSOCIATED WITH MORNING GLORY SYNDROME USING THE HUMAN AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE

PURPOSE

This case report describes an innovative procedure for addressing retinal detachment in patients with morning glory syndrome.

METHODS

An 18-year-old woman with unilateral morning glory syndrome complicated by macula-off retinal detachment without any visible peripheral retinal breaks underwent three corrective surgeries. In the first surgery, a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with a 3-mm human amniotic membrane patch positioned on the optic disc and gas endotamponade was performed. When the gas reabsorbed, inferior retinal detachment recurred, and a second vitrectomy with silicone oil endotamponade was conducted. At three months, the retina was still attached under the silicone oil, so the oil was removed. At the second follow-up, retinal detachment had recurred, and a third vitrectomy with a larger amniotic patch and silicone oil endotamponade was performed.

RESULTS

Three months following the last surgery, the subretinal fluid had totally reabsorbed, and the retina was completely attached. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/100.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, the first description of a human amniotic patch associated with vitrectomy in morning glory syndrome complicated with retinal detachment is described. Using human amniotic membranes, positioned onto the optic nerve, and silicone oil endotamponade could be useful for morning glory syndrome complicated by retinal detachment.

Application progress of human amniotic membrane in vitreoretinopathy: a literature review

Recently, the application of the amniotic membrane (AM) in ophthalmology is gradually expanding from the anterior to the posterior segment of the eye. Its characteristics of anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial, anti-vascularization, immune regulation, anti-fibrosis, pro-epithelialization, and so forth have made it a hot topic in ophthalmic research. AM has been confirmed to repair photoreceptors, restore normal retinal structures, and close the abnormal structures in the optic disc. Currently, the application areas mainly include retinal hole, retinal detachment, optic disc pit, retinal degenerative diseases, and choroidal hole. This article reviews the current literature applying AM transplantation in the treatment of various posterior segment diseases while comparing the clinical outcomes with other techniques.

Single-cell sequencing of individual retinal organoids reveals determinants of cell-fate heterogeneity

With a critical need for more complete in vitro models of human development and disease, organoids hold immense potential. Their complex cellular composition makes single-cell sequencing of great utility; however, the limitation of current technologies to a handful of treatment conditions restricts their use in screens or studies of organoid heterogeneity. Here, we apply sci-Plex, a single-cell combinatorial indexing (sci)-based RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) multiplexing method to retinal organoids. We demonstrate that sci-Plex and 10× methods produce highly concordant cell-class compositions and then expand sci-Plex to analyze the cell-class composition of 410 organoids upon modulation of critical developmental pathways. Leveraging individual organoid data, we develop a method to measure organoid heterogeneity, and we identify that activation of Wnt signaling early in retinal organoid cultures increases retinal cell classes up to 6 weeks later. Our data show sci-Plex's potential to dramatically scale up the analysis of treatment conditions on relevant human models.

Evaluation of baseline optic disc pit and optic disc coloboma maculopathy features by spectral domain optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to describe and compare the baseline demographic, ocular, and imaging characteristics of a cohort of patients with optic disc pit (ODP) or optic disc coloboma (ODC) maculopathy.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with ODP or ODC on clinical examination between June 2017 and December 2022. These patients' baseline demographics, ocular characteristics, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fundus examination revealed 11 eyes of 11 patients with ODP and 14 eyes of 9 patients with ODC, respectively. On OCT, maculopathy was observed more frequently in ODP (n = 10) than in ODC (n = 4) [p = 0.004] cases. Eyes with ODP were more likely to exhibit retinoschisis and/or serous macular detachment [SMD] (n = 7, 70%), communication of the retinoschisis with the optic disc (p = 0.015), whereas the SMD did not communicate with the optic disc (p = 0.005), and significant outer retinal layer thinning (p = 0.015). In contrast, eyes with ODC exhibited only SMD (p = 0.005) and no retinoschisis on the non-colobomatous retina. SMD in ODC communicated with the margin of the optic disc. In both clinical entities, hyperreflective foci were observed in the SMD.

CONCLUSION

In summary, baseline maculopathy characteristics on OCT, including its type, location, and relationship to the optic disc, are among the most distinguishing characteristics between an ODP and an ODC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Not applicable.

Single-cell sequencing of individual retinal organoids reveals determinants of cell fate heterogeneity

With a critical need for more complete in vitro models of human development and disease, organoids hold immense potential. Their complex cellular composition makes single-cell sequencing of great utility; however, the limitation of current technologies to a handful of treatment conditions restricts their use in screens or studies of organoid heterogeneity. Here, we apply sci-Plex, a single-cell combinatorial indexing (sci)-based RNA-seq multiplexing method to retinal organoids. We demonstrate that sci-Plex and 10x methods produce highly concordant cell class compositions and then expand sci-Plex to analyze the cell class composition of 410 organoids upon modulation of critical developmental pathways. Leveraging individual organoid data, we develop a method to measure organoid heterogeneity, and we identify that activation of Wnt signaling early in retinal organoid cultures increases retinal cell classes up to six weeks later. Our data show sci-Plex's potential to dramatically scale-up the analysis of treatment conditions on relevant human models.

Confounder for Optic Disc Evaluation in Glaucoma

Congenital disc anomalies like optic disc coloboma or optic disc pit are rare occurrences. Coloboma involving disc or optic disc coloboma occurs due to defective closure of choroidal fissure, which can be unilateral or bilateral. These anomalies are discovered on routine examination or referred to as an open-angle glaucoma suspect. These anomalies can be asymptomatic or may present with visual field defects. Here we report a case of both eyes angle closure glaucoma with incidental finding of unilateral coloboma involving disc in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve head showed peripapillary nerve fiber loss. Thus assessing such patients for diagnosis and the progression of visual field defects in managing glaucoma is quite challenging.

A Case of Morning Glory Disc Associated With Unilateral Retinopathy of Prematurity

Morning glory disc anomaly is associated with serous retinal detachments, high refractive errors, amblyopia, and strabismus. There have been limited reports of an association between morning glory disc and peripheral retinal non-perfusion. The authors report a case of unilateral morning glory disc anomaly associated with markedly asymmetric retinopathy of prematurity. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2022;59(5):e55-e57.].

Optic disc coloboma associated with macular retinoschisis: A case report

BACKGROUND

To report an unusual case of bilateral optic disc coloboma associated with macular retinoschisis in the left eye.

CASE SUMMARY

A 37-year-old woman presented with complaints of blurred and distorted vision in her left eye for more than 1 year. Fundus examination demonstrated choroidal atrophy around the optic disc in both eyes, with a cup-to-disc ratio of 0.9. Serous retinal detachment in the macular area of the left eye. Left eye macular blood flow imaging optical coherence tomography (Angio-OCT) showed macular retinal serous cleavage. En-face OCT showed that the canal gully-like structure formed by the defect of the optic disc nerve fiber layer between the optic disc and macula, serous detachment area was connected with the enlarged optic disc coloboma through the canal gully-like structure, and the fluid leaked from the enlarged and thinned optic disc coloboma into the retinal layer of the macular area. Patients with optic disc abnormalities and macular degeneration must be monitored appropriately. During the follow-up period, the use of optic disc stereography and 3D-OCT, en-face, and Angio-OCT imaging can clarify the correlation between macular retinoschisis and optic disc coloboma.

CONCLUSION

Macular retinoschisis may be owing to the combined force of disc edge loss, enlarged optic disc coloboma, the canal gully-like structure formed by the defect of the nerve fiber layer around the optic disc, and the traction of the posterior vitreous cortex.

Histological and Top-Down Proteomic Analyses of the Visual Pathway in the Cuprizone Demyelination Model

A change in visual perception is a frequent early symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), the pathoaetiology of which remains unclear. Following a slow demyelination process caused by 12 weeks of low-dose (0.1%) cuprizone (CPZ) consumption, histology and proteomics were used to investigate components of the visual pathway in young adult mice. Histological investigation did not identify demyelination or gliosis in the optic tracts, pretectal nuclei, superior colliculi, lateral geniculate nuclei or visual cortices. However, top-down proteomic assessment of the optic nerve/tract revealed a significant change in the abundance of 34 spots in high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) gels. Subsequent liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-TMS) analysis identified alterations in 75 proteoforms. Literature mining revealed the relevance of these proteoforms in terms of proteins previously implicated in animal models, eye diseases and human MS. Importantly, 24 proteoforms were not previously described in any animal models of MS, eye diseases or MS itself. Bioinformatic analysis indicated involvement of these proteoforms in cytoskeleton organization, metabolic dysregulation, protein aggregation and axonal support. Collectively, these results indicate that continuous CPZ-feeding, which evokes a slow demyelination, results in proteomic changes that precede any clear histological changes in the visual pathway and that these proteoforms may be potential early markers of degenerative demyelinating conditions.

Pathophysiological Heterogeneity of the BBSOA Neurodevelopmental Syndrome

The formation and maturation of the human brain is regulated by highly coordinated developmental events, such as neural cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Any impairment of these interconnected multi-factorial processes can affect brain structure and function and lead to distinctive neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we review the pathophysiology of the Bosch–Boonstra–Schaaf Optic Atrophy Syndrome (BBSOAS; OMIM 615722; ORPHA 401777), a recently described monogenic neurodevelopmental syndrome caused by the haploinsufficiency of NR2F1 gene, a key transcriptional regulator of brain development. Although intellectual disability, developmental delay and visual impairment are arguably the most common symptoms affecting BBSOAS patients, multiple additional features are often reported, including epilepsy, autistic traits and hypotonia. The presence of specific symptoms and their variable level of severity might depend on still poorly characterized genotype–phenotype correlations. We begin with an overview of the several mutations of NR2F1 identified to date, then further focuses on the main pathological features of BBSOAS patients, providing evidence—whenever possible—for the existing genotype–phenotype correlations. On the clinical side, we lay out an up-to-date list of clinical examinations and therapeutic interventions recommended for children with BBSOAS. On the experimental side, we describe state-of-the-art in vivo and in vitro studies aiming at deciphering the role of mouse Nr2f1, in physiological conditions and in pathological contexts, underlying the BBSOAS features. Furthermore, by modeling distinct NR2F1 genetic alterations in terms of dimer formation and nuclear receptor binding efficiencies, we attempt to estimate the total amounts of functional NR2F1 acting in developing brain cells in normal and pathological conditions. Finally, using the NR2F1 gene and BBSOAS as a paradigm of monogenic rare neurodevelopmental disorder, we aim to set the path for future explorations of causative links between impaired brain development and the appearance of symptoms in human neurological syndromes.

Morning glory disc anomaly-associated maculopathy: multimodal imaging

Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is most commonly found in white females in childhood with reduced vision. One in two cases have been reported to develop maculopathy or posterior pole retinal detachment as they grow older. The pathophysiology of MGDA-associated maculopathy is not well understood.We describe a 31-year-old black woman, who presented with gradual reduction of vision in the right eye due to MGDA-associated maculopathy. We identified morphological characteristics of the optic disc and macula with multicolour and optical coherence tomography imaging.We speculate that the centripetal inner retina traction and cerebrospinal fluid pressure fluctuation play an important role in inner retinal fluid accumulation in the pathology of retinoschisis in MGDA. Further studies will shed some light of a potential cause-and-effect relationship between MGDA and retinoschisis.

Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy Associated with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia and Elevated Intraocular Pressure

A 46-year-old woman with no known past medical history presented with sudden painless visual impairment in the left eye. Ocular examination showed a swollen and hyperaemic left optic disc with a small and crowded right optic disc. Intraocular pressures were moderately elevated. Investigations for underlying ischaemic and inflammatory markers were normal. A diagnosis of left non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAAION) was made, with associated ocular hypertension. On follow-up, NAAION resolved with anti-glaucoma medication and repeat fundus examination confirmed the presence of an underlying hypoplastic disc. The coexistence of optic disc hypoplasia and elevated intraocular pressure may further augment the risk of developing NAAION.

Ocular coloboma combined with cleft lip and palate: a case report

Background

Ocular coloboma is an excavation of ocular structures that occurs due to abnormal fusion of the embryonic optic fissure. Further, cleft lip/palate (CL/P), a congenital midline abnormality, is caused by a defect in the fusion of the frontonasal, maxillary, and mandibular prominences. No study has reported the association between these two phenotypes in the absence of other systemic abnormalities. We present a case of ocular coloboma along with CL/P and without other neurological abnormalities.

Case presentation

A 5-year-old Asian boy presented with decreased visual acuity in his right eye. Physical examination revealed no abnormal findings except CL/P, which was surgically corrected at the age of 9 months. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye. Anterior segment examination revealed iris coloboma in the inferior quadrant of his right eye as well as a large inferonasal optic disc and chorioretinal coloboma in the same eye. He was prescribed glasses based on his cycloplegic refractive errors and part-time occlusion of the left eye was recommended. After 3 months, best-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/30 in the right eye.

Conclusion

The association of ocular coloboma should be kept in mind when encountering a patient with CL/P without other neurological or systemic abnormalities.

Huge peripapillary staphyloma with craniofacial clefts: A case report

PURPOSE

We reported the occurrence of a congenital unilateral huge peripapillary staphyloma in association with craniofacial clefts for the first time.

CASE REPORT

A 1-year-old boy presented with a large defect on his left eyelid, a wide oblique columella nasi and an atypical wedge-shaped extension of the unilateral anterior hairline. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations revealed there were cracks on his nasal septum, palate, and superior alveolar midline. Moreover, we surprisingly uncovered a gourd-shaped eyeball with the compressed optic nerve on the right side, while the right eye seemed normal from appearance. Under anaesthesia, fundus examination of the right eye showed a 15 mm-deep excavation surrounding the optic disc with defective choroid and dysplastic optic papilla. We reconstructed the left eyelid of the patient to protect his cornea and would make other solutions according to the results of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Peripapillary staphyloma and craniofacial clefts are two dissimilar rare congenital anomalies. In this patient, we firstly observed the co-existence of the two defects, which may provide the experience to the diagnosis and treatment of peripapillary staphyloma and craniofacial clefts. This case also gives us the pathogenic inspiration for further studies of peripapillary staphyloma and craniofacial clefts.

Transcriptome analysis of the zebrafish atoh7-/- Mutant, lakritz, highlights Atoh7-dependent genetic networks with potential implications for human eye diseases

Expression of the bHLH transcription protein Atoh7 is a crucial factor conferring competence to retinal progenitor cells for the development of retinal ganglion cells. Several studies have emerged establishing ATOH7 as a retinal disease gene. Remarkably, such studies uncovered ATOH7 variants associated with global eye defects including optic nerve hypoplasia, microphthalmia, retinal vascular disorders, and glaucoma. The complex genetic networks and cellular decisions arising downstream of atoh7 expression, and how their dysregulation cause development of such disease traits remains unknown. To begin to understand such Atoh7-dependent events in vivo, we performed transcriptome analysis of wild-type and atoh7 mutant (lakritz) zebrafish embryos at the onset of retinal ganglion cell differentiation. We investigated in silico interplays of atoh7 and other disease-related genes and pathways. By network reconstruction analysis of differentially expressed genes, we identified gene clusters enriched in retinal development, cell cycle, chromatin remodeling, stress response, and Wnt pathways. By weighted gene coexpression network, we identified coexpression modules affected by the mutation and enriched in retina development genes tightly connected to atoh7. We established the groundwork whereby Atoh7-linked cellular and molecular processes can be investigated in the dynamic multi-tissue environment of the developing normal and diseased vertebrate eye.

Surgical management of a case of contractile peripapillary staphyloma with retinal detachment and macular hole

A healthy 4-year-old male presented a fundus examination with a unilateral contractile peripapillary staphyloma surrounded by redundant retina and retinal pigment epithelium atrophy. Five years later, best-corrected visual acuity decreased to hand motion due to a retinal detachment with macular hole. One month after first vitrectomy, scleral buckle and intraocular gas, retina re-detached. Second surgery was performed with silicon oil tamponade and lensectomy without intraocular lens (IOL). Subretinal silicon oil was detected at the third month of follow-up when vitrectomy, inferior retinectomy, and laser photocoagulation of temporal border of staphyloma with silicon oil tamponade were performed. The retina remained attached and best-corrected visual acuity was 20/600 with intraocular silicon oil. A fourth surgery was performed for emulsified silicon oil extraction replaced with intraocular gas. At 6 months of follow-up, the retina re-detached again. This is a challenging vitreoretinal surgery in which re-detachments were due to retinal folds around the contractile staphyloma that raised macular hole. This is the first report of the combined presentation of contractile peripapillary staphyloma, retinal detachment and macular hole with a long-time follow-up period of years.

Mutation in Bmpr1b Leads to Optic Disc Coloboma and Ventral Retinal Gliosis in Mice

Purpose

The clinical phenotype of retinal gliosis occurs in different forms; here, we characterize one novel genetic feature, (i.e., signaling via BMP-receptor 1b).

Methods

Mouse mutants were generated within a recessive ENU mutagenesis screen; the underlying mutation was identified by linkage analysis and Sanger sequencing. The eye phenotype was characterized by fundoscopy, optical coherence tomography, optokinetic drum, electroretinography, and visual evoked potentials, by histology, immunohistology, and electron-microscopy.

Results

The mutation affects intron 10 of the Bmpr1b gene, which is causative for skipping of exon 10. The expression levels of pSMAD1/5/8 were reduced in the mutant retina. The loss of BMPR1B-mediated signaling leads to optic nerve coloboma, gliosis in the optic nerve head and ventral retina, defective optic nerve axons, and irregular retinal vessels. The ventral retinal gliosis is proliferative and hypertrophic, which is concomitant with neuronal delamination and the reduction of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs); it is dominated by activated astrocytes overexpressing PAX2 and SOX2 but not PAX6, indicating that they may retain properties of gliogenic precursor cells. The expression pattern of PAX2 in the optic nerve head and ventral retina is altered during embryonic development. These events finally result in reduced electrical transmission of the retina and optic nerve and significantly reduced visual acuity.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that BMPR1B is necessary for the development of the optic nerve and ventral retina. This study could also indicate a new mechanism in the formation of retinal gliosis; it opens new routes for its treatment eventually preventing scar formation in the retina.

CONTRACTILE OPTIC DISK AND PERIPHERAL AVASCULAR RETINA IN A CASE OF MORNING GLORY DISK ANOMALY

PURPOSE

To report a rare case of morning glory disk anomaly with a contractile optic disk and a peripheral avascular retina along with detailed spectral domain optical coherence tomography characteristics of the contractions.

METHODS

Serial fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography images were taken to study the characteristics of optic disk contractions. Fundus fluorescein angiography was performed to delineate the peripheral avascular retina in the same eye.

RESULTS

A 9-year-old boy presented to us with morning glory disk anomaly in the left eye. He had contractile motions of the optic disk around two to three times in a minute, with each contraction lasting for 4 seconds to 5 seconds. Serial spectral domain optical coherence tomography images could depict an anterior contraction of the optic disk along with the surrounding peripapillary staphyloma with no evidence of any subretinal fluid. Fundus examination of the left eye also suggested the presence of an avascular retina temporally, which was confirmed on fundus fluorescein angiography.

CONCLUSION

Our report provides detailed spectral domain optical coherence tomography images through the optic disk in morning glory disk anomaly during various phases of optic disk contractions. It also presents a second rare association of a peripheral avascular retina in the case.

Direct OPTOS Nerve Size Determination of Prevalent Optic Nerve Hypoplasia in Alaska

Background

Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), one of the most common causes of pediatric blindness in developed countries, has been difficult to directly quantify. We sought to measure optic nerve size in Alaskan pediatric patients with optic nerve hypoplasia using ultra-widefield fundus imaging.

Methods

Adult and pediatric patients underwent conventional ultra widefield fundus imaging (OPTOS, Dunfermline, Scotland) with manual image processing to determine optic nerve size validated against refractive error and nystagmus and compared to optical spectral domain tomography. De-identified cases were then compared relative to visual acuity and birth prevalence.

Results

In Alaska’s only pediatric ophthalmology outreach clinic, 108 cases of ONH less than 20 years old were clinically identified with 80 having ultra-widefield analysis. Median horizontal optic nerve diameter for 135 normals was 1.70 (95% C.I. 1.49, 2.14) whereas in patients clinically diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia was 1.23 (95% C.I 0.38, 1.45). Visual acuity (20/y) was related to horizontal optic nerve diameter (x) by y = 187 x^-4.1. Horizontal nerve diameter h could be estimated from vertical nerve diameter v by h = 0.73v + 0.3 even in nystagmus patients. From 108 with ONH, 6 had threshold retinopathy of prematurity, 12 profound nystagmus, 32 legally blind, 6 with septo-optic dysplasia, and 5 with fetal alcohol syndrome. ONH is very prevalent in Alaska occurring at least 8–10 per 10,000 births.

Conclusion

Compared to vertical diameter, horizontal diameter was more distinctive of optic nerve hypoplasia and more perturbed by nystagmus. Both were independent of refractive error. When hand-held, spectral domain OCT is not convenient, ultra-widefield fundus analysis is recommended for direct estimation of optic nerve size in children and adults. Optic nerve hypoplasia is prevalent in Alaskan children.

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A hybrid coloboma and optic disc pit associated with macular retinoschisis

Background

To report and describe an unusual case of a patient with optic disc pit in one eye and optic disc coloboma with a focal pit associated with macular retinoschisis in the other eye.

Case presentation

A 21-year-old woman presented with optic disc pit in the right eye and optic disc coloboma with a focal pit like excavation in the left eye. Macular spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of the left eye revealed macular retinoschisis, without serous detachment.

Conclusions

Proper monitoring of patients with disc anomalies associated with maculopathy is mandatory. The use of OCT imaging during follow-up can help to identify involvement of the fovea or enlargement of the retinoschisis area.

RETINAL DETACHMENT ASSOCIATED WITH PERIPAPILLARY STAPHYLOMA IMAGED WITH SWEPT SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

PURPOSE

To examine a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with a peripapillary staphyloma with swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) before and after vitrectomy and circumferential photocoagulation.

METHODS

The SS-OCT images including the montage images of two patients with a RRD associated with peripapillary staphylomas were analyzed. A 34-year-old woman (Case 1) and a 70-year-old woman (Case 2) both noticed temporal visual field defects in their left eyes. Ophthalmoscopy showed a retinal detachment in the nasal quadrant without any peripheral breaks in both patients. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 with -8.5 diopters in Case 1 and 20/25 with -7.0 diopters and moderate cataract in Case 2. SS-OT was used to follow the clinical course of the RRD.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, retinal tears were detected nasal to the optic disk within the excavated staphyloma in the SS-OCT images. A posterior vitreous detachment was not present in Case 1 but was present in Case 2. The glial tissue at the edge of the excavated staphyloma was removed from both eyes, and the subretinal fluid was drained internally through the retinal breaks. Hemicircumferential photocoagulation was performed at the nasal edge of the staphyloma, and the retina was reattached in both eyes. Postoperative SS-OCT montage images showed retinal reattachment but a detachment was still present within the staphyloma.

CONCLUSION

Vitreous surgery was effective for an RRD associated with a peripapillary staphyloma. Examinations by SS-OCT can follow the changes in the RRD and the excavated lesion of a peripapillary staphyloma.

Human Optic Nerve: An Enhanced Proteomic Expression Profile

Ophthalmology and visual health are new frontiers for postgenomic research and technologies such as proteomics. In this context, the optic nerve and retina extend as the outgrowth of the brain, wherein the latter receives the optical input and the former relays the information for processing. While efforts to understand the optic nerve proteome have been made earlier, there exists a lacuna in its biochemical composition and molecular functions. We report, in this study, a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based approach using an Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer to elucidate the human optic nerve proteomic profile. Raw spectra were searched against NCBI Human RefSeq 75 database using SEQUEST HT and MASCOT algorithms. We identified nearly 35,000 peptides in human optic nerve samples, corresponding to 5682 proteins, of which 3222 proteins are being reported for the first time. Label-free quantification using spectral abundance pointed out to neuronal structural proteins such as myelin basic protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and proteolipid protein 1 as the most abundant proteins. We also identified several neurotransmitter receptors and postsynaptic density synaptosomal scaffold proteins. Pathway analysis revealed that a majority of the proteins are structural proteins and have catalytic and binding activity. This study is one of the largest proteomic profiles of the human optic nerve and offers the research community an initial baseline optic nerve proteome for further studies. This will also help understand the protein dynamics of the human optic nerve under normal conditions.

Comparison of optic disk features in preterm and term infants

PURPOSE

To compare the optic disk features of preterm and term infants.

METHODS

Digital fundus images of preterm infants were compared with those of infants born at term, imaged within 1 week of birth. The optic disk horizontal diameter to vertical diameter ratio, the disk-macula to disk-diameter ratio, and the presence or absence of double ring sign was noted.

RESULTS

Images of 649 infants (324 preterm and 325 term) were analyzed. Of the preterm infants, 129 (40%) had a double ring sign, compared to 4% in term infants. The double ring was seen more frequently in infants of European descent and was more common with younger gestational age. The mean horizontal to vertical disk diameter in preterm infants on first examination was 0.75 ± 0.063, increasing to 0.80 ± 0.069 at final examination. Term infants had a horizontal to vertical disk diameter ratio of 0.79 ± 0.064. At final examination, the ratio of disk-to-macula distance to the horizontal disk diameter was 3.9 in preterm infants and 3.7 for term infants.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study population preterm infants often had a double ring sign around the optic disk in the absence of optic nerve hypoplasia. Preterm disks tend to be more vertically oval, which becomes less oval closer to term. The mean disk-to-macula to disk-diameter ratio among normal preterm infants was higher than previously reported.

Intercalary membrane as the inner wall overlying optic and chorio-retinal colobomas. Deep penetration Swept Source-OCT study

Five eyes of four patients were studied to analyze the structure of the inner wall of optic and chorioretinal colobomas using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). The colobomatous cavities and their relationship with adjacent structures were examined. SS-OCT permitted the study of the colobomatous cavities in all cases. In four of those cases, a Y-shaped intercalary membrane (ICM) was identified, with an origin in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), which covered the coloboma and in one case the coloboma was in contact with the vitreous cavity. Vitreous adhesion to the internal wall of the coloboma was found in three cases. No clinical or tomographic maculopathy was observed in any patient. High-resolution deep penetration SS-OCT allows in vivo study of optic and chorioretinal colobomas, identifying the RNFL as the main component of the ICM overlying the colobomatous cavities.

Optic disk contractility in morning glory disk anomaly

Morning glory disk anomaly is a nonhereditary, congenital optic disk dysplasia characterized by conical excavation of the posterior fundus with a central glial tuft and radial retinal vessels. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with esotropia, enophthalmos, no light perception, and afferent pupillary defect in her left eye; fundus examination revealed morning glory disk anomaly. Ultrasound B-scan showed axial length increasing in the left eye on consensual light exposure. Magnetic resonance imaging/angiogram of the brain and orbits were within normal limits except for globe elongation posteriorly in the left eye. On examination under anesthesia with video indirect ophthalmoscopy, the left optic disk showed contraction and expansion when stimulated by strong light to the fellow eye and no spontaneous contraction on direct light stimulation. Morning glory disk contractility with increasing axial length on consensual light exposure in a child has not been reported previously.

Pseudo-duplication of the optic disc with maculo-schisis in a 9-year-old patient

Purpose

To report a unique case of pseudo-duplication of the optic disc with maculo-schisis.

Observations

A 9-year-old girl presented with decreased vision in the left eye. Her measured visual acuity was 20/50. Dilated fundus examination revealed an optic disc-like lesion with a large crater-like depression, pale color and aberrant retinal vasculature arising from its lower region. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated maculo-schisis emerging from the optic disc complex and involving the foveal region. Further pathological findings of cellophane maculopathy with retinal striae was observed at the papillo-macular bundle. On MRI scan there were neither signs of doubling of the optic nerve nor any other optic nerve malformations. The patient underwent 25 Gauge Pars Plana vitrectomy (PPV) with posterior hyaloid peel, ILM peel and gas tamponade with SF6. Eight month post-operatively, a significant reduction in intra-retinal fluids and an improvement in the maculo-schisis magnitude were seen.

Conclusions and Importance

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a pseudo-duplication of the optic disc with maculo-schisis treated with PPV.

Prevalence of the optic disc anomalies in the adult South Indian population

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of congenitally abnormal disc (all anomalies) in an adult population in southern India.

Methods

Subjects aged ≥40 years (n=6013) underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Optic disc anomalies were diagnosed according to the definitions given in the article.

Results

Optic disc anomalies were found in 81 eyes of 66 (1.1%, 95% CIs 0.00834 to 0.01361) patients. The prevalence of each anomaly in the descending order was peripapillary myelinated nerve fibre (0.28%), epipapillary glial tissue on the optic disc (0.28%), peripapillary vascular loops (0.16%), tilted disc (0.09%), optic disc coloboma (0.08%), optic nerve hypoplasia (0.04%), optic disc pit (0.04%), optic disc pigmentation (0.03%), optic nerve head drusen (0.03%), Bergmeister’s papilla (0.03%), optic disc pit and coloboma (0.01%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of optic disc anomalies is 1.1% in the adult South Indian population.

Environmental conditions shape the temporal pattern of investment in reproduction and survival

The relationship between environmental stress exposure and ageing is likely to vary with stressor severity, life-history stage and the time scale over which effects are measured. Such factors could influence whether stress exposure accelerates or slows the ageing process, but their interactions have not previously been experimentally investigated. We found that experimental exposure of zebra finches to mildly challenging environmental circumstances from young to old adulthood, which increased exposure to stress hormones, reduced breeding performance during early adulthood, but had positive effects when individuals were bred in old adulthood. This difference was not due to selective mortality, because the effects were evident within individuals, and no evidence of habituation in the response to the stressor was found. The more stressful environment had no effects on survival during young or old adulthood, but substantially improved survival during middle age. Changes in the effects at different ages could be due to the duration and nature of the challenging exposure, or to variation in coping capacity or strategy with age. These results show that living under challenging environmental circumstances can influence ageing trajectories in terms of both reproductive performance and longevity. Our results provide experimental support for the emerging idea that stress exposure needs to be optimized rather than minimized to obtain the best health outcomes.

Congenital anomalies of the optic disc: insights from optical coherence tomography imaging

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Congenital anomalies of the optic nerve are rare but significant causes of visual dysfunction in children and adults. Accurate diagnosis is dependent on a thorough funduscopic examination, but can be enhanced by imaging information garnered from optical coherence tomography (OCT). We review common congenital optic nerve anomalies, including optic disc pit, optic nerve coloboma, morning glory disc anomaly, and hypoplasia of the optic nerve, review their systemic associations, and discuss insights from OCT imaging.

RECENT FINDINGS

Optic disc pits are a result of a defect in the lamina cribrosa and abnormal vitreomacular adhesions have been shown to cause maculopathy. In patients with optic nerve colobomas, OCT can be instrumental in diagnosing choroidal neovascularization, a rare but visually devastating complication. The pathogenesis of morning glory disc anomaly has been more clearly elucidated by OCT as occurring from a secondary postnatal mesenchymal abnormality rather than only the initial neuroectodermal dysgenesis of the terminal optic stalk in isolation. OCT studies of optic nerve hypoplasia have demonstrated significant thinning of the inner and outer retinal layers of the perifoveal region and thicker layers in the fovea itself, resulting in a foveal hypoplasia-like pathology, that is, significantly correlated to poorer visual outcomes.

SUMMARY

OCT provides detailed in-vivo analysis of these anatomic anomalies and their resulting pathologies, shedding new insights on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and potential visual outcomes of these conditions in children. Further study employing OCT to elucidate structure-function relationships of congenital optic nerve anomalies will help expand the role of OCT in clinical practice related to diagnosis, prognosis, and management of these entities.

Morning glory disc anomaly with an ipsilateral enlargement of the optic nerve pathway

PURPOSE

To report three patients with an unilateral morning glory disc anomaly in association with an ipsilateral mild thickening of the optic nerve.

METHODS

Three children with a morning glory disc anomaly underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Ophthalmological, genetic and MRI findings at follow-up are reported. A literature search on the association of morning glory anomaly in association with optic nerve glioma is reported.¹ RESULTS: Three children with an unilateral morning glory anomaly and ipsilateral poor visual acuity were found to have an ipsilateral mild optic nerve enlargement on brain MRI. At serial MRI scanning, there was no progression of this finding.

CONCLUSIONS

The morning glory disc anomaly is a rare congenital malformation of the optic disc. It can be associated with central nervous system abnormalities. The association with an optic nerve glioma has been described once before.¹ Our three cases confirm the possible association between a morning glory disc anomaly and an ipsilateral optic nerve enlargement. Serial MRI showed no growth at follow-up. The awareness of this association by the ophthalmologists is important.

Lateral thinking - Interocular symmetry and asymmetry in neurovascular patterning, in health and disease

No biological system or structure is likely to be perfectly symmetrical, or have identical right and left forms. This review explores the evidence for eye and visual pathway asymmetry, in health and in disease, and attempts to provide guidance for those studying the structure and function of the visual system, where recognition of symmetry or asymmetry may be essential. The principal question with regards to asymmetry is not 'are the eyes the same?', for some degree of asymmetry is pervasive, but 'when are they importantly different?'. Knowing if right and left eyes are 'importantly different' could have significant consequences for deciding whether right or left eyes are included in an analysis or for examining the association between a phenotype and ocular parameter. The presence of significant asymmetry would also have important implications for the design of normative databases of retinal and optic nerve metrics. In this review, we highlight not only the universal presence of asymmetry, but provide evidence that some elements of the visual system are inherently more asymmetric than others, pointing to the need for improved normative data to explain sources of asymmetry and their impact on determining associations with genetic, environmental or health-related factors and ultimately in clinical practice.

Bilateral optic disc pathologies as an accompanying feature of comitant strabismus in children

PURPOSE

To describe and report accompanying bilateral optic disc pathologies in children with comitant strabismus.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients (16 female, 12 male) aged between 1 and 12 years who had comitant strabismus and bilateral optic disc pathologies were included in the study. Visual acuity, refractive errors, amount of deviation and types of optic disc pathologies were all recorded. Each patient underwent complete neurological and ophthalmological examination.

RESULTS

Of the 28 patients, 14 (50.0%) had esotropia and 14 (50.0%) had exotropia. The mean age was 4.18 ± 3.03 years. The mean deviation angle was 35.30 ± 13.26 prism diopters (PD) (20-70 PD). Optic atrophy as being the most common pathology was found in nine (32.1%) patients. Six (21.4%) patients had temporal disc pallor, six (21.4%) patients had optic nerve hypoplasia, and seven (25%) patients had other optic disc anomalies (tilted disc, megalodisc, disc coloboma, peripapillary staphyloma). Optic disc pathologies were found to be isolated in 12 patients. Nine of 13 patients with congenital optic disc pathologies had esotropia, whereas 10 of 15 patients with optic atrophy or optic disc pallor had exotropia.

CONCLUSION

Comitant strabismus in children can be associated with congenital or acquired optic disc pathologies. It is worthy of note that esotropia was more common in patients with congenital optic disc pathologies, whereas exotropia was more frequent in patients with optic atrophy or optic disc pallor. The findings of the present study show that complete ophthalmological examination including fundus evaluation should be carried out in all patients with strabismus even though the cause of ocular misalignment is obvious.

Congenital optic nerve anomalies

OBJECTIVE

To update the current knowledge about congenital optic disc anomalies.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed in the major biomedical databases.

RESULTS

Patients with these anomalies usually have poor vision in infancy. Refractive errors are common, and serous retinal detachment may develop in some of these anomalies. It is critically important to clinically differentiate between these congenital optic disc anomalies, as central nervous system malformations are common in some, whereas others may be associated with systemic anomalies.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital optic disc anomalies are a heterogeneous group of pathologies with characteristic fundus appearance and systemic associations. We should always try to make a correct diagnosis, in order to ask for specific tests, as well as to provide an adequate follow-up.

Optic Nerve Head Development in Healthy Infants and Children Using Handheld Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose

To determine feasibility of optic nerve head (ONH) imaging and to characterize ONH development in full-term infants without sedation using handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT).

Design

Prospective cross-sectional study.

Participants

Three hundred fifty-two children aged between 1 day and 13 years.

Methods

All participants were imaged using handheld SD OCT without sedation during a single scan session. The percentage of successful scans was calculated. Interexaminer reproducibility and differences between right and left eyes were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Images were analyzed using ImageJ software. The developmental trajectories over time for ONH parameters were calculated using fractional polynomial modelling.

Main Outcome Measures

Disc and cup diameter (expressed as distance in micrometers and visual angle in degrees), cup depth, Bruch's membrane opening–minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), retinal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL; 1700 μm and 6° from the disc center).

Results

On average, 70% of participants were imaged successfully. Interexaminer reliability was excellent (ICC, >0.89) for diametric and retinal thickness parameters. Right and left eyes were similar for diametric measurements (ICC, >0.79), but more variable for nasal BMO-MRW, RNFL, and retinal thickness. The mean disc and cup diameter increase by 30% and 40%, respectively, between birth and 13 years of age when expressed as a distance measure, but remained constant (at 5°–5.5° and 2°, respectively) when expressed as a visual angle with reference to the eye nodal point. The peripapillary temporal RNFL demonstrated a marked initial decrease of nearly 35% between birth and approximately 18 months of age. This was followed by a slow increase up to 12 years of age when measured at 1700 μm from the disc center, although there was little change when measured at 6° from the disc center.

Conclusions

We demonstrated feasibility of handheld SD OCT imaging of the ONH in full-term infants and children without anaesthesia or sedation. This is the first in vivo handheld SD OCT study to describe the development of ONH parameters during the critical early years of visual maturation. Our results provide a normative database for use in routine practice and further studies of ONH pathologic features.

Retinal ischaemia and delayed fibrovascular proliferation associated with an optic nerve coloboma

CASE REPORT

A patient with a left optic nerve coloboma with late development (at 15 years of age) of vitreoretinal fibrovascular proliferation and tractional retinal detachment (TRD). Sectorial retinal photocoagulation was performed with regression of the proliferative tissue and exudation.

DISCUSSION

Congenital optic nerve anomalies may be associated with significant retinal avascularity, ischaemia and late fibrovascular proliferation. Laser is effective for regression of the neovascular tissue and preventing TRD progression.

PERIPHERAL AVASCULAR RETINA WITH DISK ANOMALY AND HIGH MYOPIA: A Novel Association in a Hereditary Isolated Ocular Disorder

PURPOSE

To describe a family pedigree with a previously undescribed association of autosomal dominantly inherited ocular abnormalities.

METHODS

Case series study performed on 15 family members. Examination included history taking, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp, gonioscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy (10 members), fluorescein angiography (5 members), general examination and renal ultrasound (4 members), and hemoglobin electrophoresis for the proband and another member.

RESULTS

Family pedigree revealed autosomal-dominant inheritance. Visual acuity ranged from 6/36 to no light perception. Examination revealed rubeosis in 7 eyes and atrophia bulbi in 11 eyes. Indirect ophthalmoscopy for 11 eyes revealed evidence of an ocular triad of peripheral avascular retina, disk anomaly (cavitary optic disk anomaly or disk dysplasia), and tessellated fundus of high myopia. The authors also observed new vessels elsewhere with or without extensive subretinal exudations in 6 eyes. All patients with any residual vision (up to perception of light) had nystagmus. Four affected members underwent general examination, renal ultrasound, and serum creatinine level (to exclude papillorenal syndrome), and all were normal. Hemoglobin electrophoresis (to exclude sickle cell retinopathy) revealed within normal values.

CONCLUSION

To the authors' knowledge, the aforementioned ocular triad has not been previously described, in association, with an autosomal-dominant pattern of inheritance.

Peripapillary staphyloma with associated retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE

To report a case of asymmetric retinopathy of prematurity associated with a peripapillary staphyloma.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 1,545-g male infant was born at 34 weeks' gestation. He was noted on initial examination to have a peripapillary staphyloma in the left eye and immature retinal vasculature in zone 2 of both eyes. Follow-up examination at 16 weeks of age showed a normal right eye with full vascularization and zone 2, stage 2 retinopathy of prematurity in the left eye.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of peripapillary staphyloma in which only the affected eye developed retinopathy of prematurity.

Development of astrocytes in the vertebrate eye

Astrocytes represent the earliest glial population in the embryonic optic nerve, contributing critically to retinal angiogenesis and formation of brain-retinal-barrier. Despite of many developmental and clinical implications of astrocytes, answers to some of the most fundamental questions of this unique type of glial cells remain elusive. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about the origination, proliferation, and differentiation of astrocytes, their journey from the optic nerve toward the neuroretina, and their involvement in physiological and pathological development of the visual system.

Congenital anomalies of the optic nerve

Congenital optic nerve head anomalies are a group of structural malformations of the optic nerve head and surrounding tissues, which may cause congenital visual impairment and blindness. Each entity in this group of optic nerve anomalies has individually become more prevalent as our ability to differentiate between them has improved due to better characterization of cases. Access to better medical technology (e.g., neuroimaging and genetic analysis advances in recent years) has helped to expand our knowledge of these abnormalities. However, visual impairment may not be the only problem in these patients, some of these entities will be related to ophthalmologic, neurologic and systemic features that will help the physician to identify and predict possible outcomes in these patients, which sometimes may be life-threatening. Herein we present helpful hints, associations and management (when plausible) for them.

Acquired pseudoduplication of the optic disc in pathologic myopia

PURPOSE

To elucidate the mechanism of acquired pseudoduplication of the optic disc and its association with pathologic myopia.

METHODS

The prevalence of pseudoduplication of the optic disc was estimated by reviewing 128 consecutive patients diagnosed as having pathologic myopia between January 2010 and December 2012. The pseudodisc was investigated at the scleral level using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography to elucidate pathologic changes. Fluorescein angiography or indocyanine green angiography was performed to identify the vessel origin.

RESULTS

Among 128 patients with pathologic myopia, 3 patients (2.3%) showed pseudoduplication of the optic disc. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography showed chorioretinal atrophy and focal scleral excavation in the area showing the pseudodisc. The round scleral excavation gave the underlying visible peribulbar tissue a pinkish appearance, which could be mistaken as the optic disc. Fluorescein angiography or indocyanine green angiography showed that the vessel within the pseudodisc was the short posterior ciliary artery.

CONCLUSIONS

Although not a common presentation, scleral excavation associated with pathologic myopia accompanied by a ciliary artery penetrating the excavation's center could make a lesion mimicking pseudoduplication of the optic disc.

Systemic abnormalities in children with congenital optic disc excavations

PURPOSE

Together with optic disc hypoplasia, excavated optic disc anomalies represent the most frequent congenital abnormality involving the optic nerve head. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively review the results of a screening for extraocular abnormalities in children presenting with congenital optic disc excavations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 37 patients diagnosed with a unilateral or bilateral non glaucomatous optic disc excavation were retrospectively reviewed to analyze the result of the extra ocular evaluation and to report the associated ocular abnormalities.

RESULTS

An ocular abnormality was observed in conjunction with the excavated optic disc in 31% of the eyes. The systematic investigations revealed the presence of at least one extra-ocular disorder in 48% of the cases, and the optic disc excavation could be considered as syndromic in 30% of patients. The prevalence of extraocular malformations was significantly higher in infants presenting with associated ocular malformations or abnormal vision/development.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that a systematic approach to search for any associated systemic abnormalities could be envisioned in patients presenting with congenital excavated optic discs, and particularly those presenting with abnormal vision, associated ocular defects or abnormal development.

Evaluation of congenital excavated optic disc anomalies with spectral-domain and swept-source optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

To investigate the anatomic characteristics of congenital excavated optic disc anomalies by using fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

METHODS

Fourteen eyes from 13 patients with congenital excavated optic disc anomalies underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination that included best-corrected visual acuity evaluation, fundus photography, and SD-OCT. SS-OCT was performed in cases of peripapillary staphyloma cases in which the excavation depth could not be detected with SD-OCT. On the basis of the funduscopic and OCT findings, patients were classified as morning glory syndrome, optic disc coloboma, or peripapillary staphyloma.

RESULTS

Seven eyes with morning glory syndrome were characterized by the presence of the preretinal tractional membrane in front of the excavated optic disc and could be divided into two groups: three eyes without retinal excavation, and four eyes with retinal excavation. Four eyes with optic disc coloboma showed inferiorly decentered scleral excavations with shallow optic disc excavation detectable by SD-OCT. Three eyes with peripapillary staphyloma showed deep excavation, the depth of which could not be detected by SD-OCT. SS-OCT and enhanced depth imaging SD-OCT images focused on the bottom revealed membranous structure at the bottom of the excavation in two cases with peripapillary staphyloma.

CONCLUSIONS

SD-OCT and SS-OCT are helpful for differential diagnosis of excavated optic disc anomalies. Morning glory syndrome, optic disc coloboma, and peripapillary staphyloma were respectively characterized by the presence of a preretinal tractional membrane, inferiorly decentered excavation, and an excavation deeper than that observed in morning glory syndrome and optic disc coloboma.

Morning glory disc anomaly with Chiari type I malformation

Morning glory disc anomaly is a rare optic nerve dysplasia associated with various neovascular abnormalities. Due to these associations, children with morning glory disc anomaly have brain imaging and angiography to detect other congenital defects. The authors report the case of an infant with morning glory disc anomaly and coexisting Chiari type I malformation.

Unilateral morning glory optic disc anomaly in a case with Down syndrome

BACKGROUND

This case is unique because it is the first reported case of Down syndrome with morning glory optic disc anomaly in literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 15-year-old girl with features of Down syndrome presented to the Clinic of Ophthalmology for a regular ophthalmologic examination. Her best corrected visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. The fundus examination revealed findings compatible with unilateral morning glory optic disc anomaly in the right eye. The patient underwent a complete ophthalmologic and systemic evaluation to explore possible associated findings.

CONCLUSION

This case report emphasizes the importance of ophthalmic screening-examinations in Down children to rule out any vision relevant pathology.

Cryptic uveitis in a patient with morning glory syndrome

BACKGROUND

A 71-year-old female presented on 3 occasions with escalating pain in a congenitally blind eye. Examination revealed hypertensive uveitis with morning glory optic disc dysplasia and absence of a crystalline lens. There was no previous intraocular surgery or trauma. Intensive anti-hypertensive agents and topical steroids did not control intraocular pressure (IOP) or inflammation.

RESULTS

Dilated fundus examination on the third clinical review revealed a luxated cataractous lens on the retina. Pars plana vitrectomy and fragmatome lensectomy controlled inflammation and IOP, with resolution of ocular pain.

DISCUSSION

This is an exceptional case of phacogenic uveitis with secondary glaucoma occurring years after spontaneous crystalline lens luxation in a patient with morning glory syndrome. The embryological pathogenesis of morning glory syndrome and the significance of accelerated cataractogenesis and zonular weakness are discussed. Hypertensive uveitis with unexplained absence of a crystalline lens in a blind eye must prompt suspicion of delayed phacogenic uveitis following asymptomatic lens luxation.