A clinical and optical coherence tomography study of choroidal colobomas.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper reviews current understanding of coloboma of the choroid, as evaluated clinically and using optical coherence tomography.

RECENT FINDINGS: Studies of the margin of coloboma of the choroid with optical coherence tomography revealed several interesting features, including variability in transition from normal retina to intercalary membrane (gradual or abrupt), presence of subclinical retinal detachments, focal communications between the subretinal space and subintercalary membrane space in eyes with extra-colobomatous retinal detachments, and inward humping of the eye wall in some cases. Pathological studies have stressed the importance of the intercalary membrane and the margin of coloboma as barriers for occurrence of retinal detachments. Vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade could correct these retinal detachments in a majority of cases.

SUMMARY: Optical coherence tomography can provide insight into pathology at the margin of the coloboma. Coupled with knowledge from histopathological studies, this information can guide the management of retinal detachments secondary to coloboma of the choroid with a high degree of success.