RETINAL DETACHMENT AND RETROBULBAR CYSTS IN A LARGE COHORT OF OPTIC NERVE COLOBOMA.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between retinal detachment and retrobulbar cysts in patients with optic nerve coloboma (ONC) and Morning Glory syndrome (MGS).

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with either ONC or MGS were identified through a search of the Sick Kids database. Seventy-one patients either agreed to come in for a B-scan or had an incidental orbital B-scan or magnetic resonance imaging or both. Eyes with orbital B-scan ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging images were assessed independently by two ophthalmologists and a radiologist for the presence of retrobulbar cysts. Retinal detachment was identified clinically with either indirect ophthalmoscopy or from fundus photographs.

RESULTS

Forty-five of 71 (63%) and 26/71 (37%) patients had ONC and MGS, respectively. Retinal detachment occurred significantly more often in eyes with MGS than with ONC (9/17 [53%] vs. 5/45 [11%], P = 0.03, respectively). Retrobulbar cysts were not detected more often in MGS than in ONC (11/45 [24%] vs. 7/26 [27%]; P = 1.0). Eyes with retrobulbar cysts were significantly more likely to be associated with retinal detachment than those without (7/18 [39%] vs. 7/53 [13%]; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Retinal detachment occurs more frequently in MGS than in ONC in a cohort of patients referred to a specialist children's retinal service. Eyes with retrobulbar cysts are more likely to be associated with retinal detachment.