Ophthalmological and intracranial anomalies in patients with clinical anophthalmos

Bilateral Microphthalmia with Septo-Optic Dysplasia

A 3-month-old boy was referred for assessment and management of apparently absent ocular globes. Ocular examination showed small orbits with apparently absent globes, small conjunctival cul-de-sac, shallow fornices, microblepharon and sunken eyelids. Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit and brain revealed bilateral extreme microphthalmia, replacement of the optic nerves by disorganised rudimentary tissue tufts, hypoplastic orbits and extraocular muscles, an absent septum pellucidum and an absent corpus callosum. A pituitary hormonal essay showed decreased adrenocorticotropic hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Septo-optic dysplasia has been rarely reported to be associated with microphthalmia. Timely treatment with hydrocortisone and levothyroxine is essential to prevent Addisonian crisis from the stress and pain that may accompany insertion of socket expanders.

Differentiation of true anophthalmia from clinical anophthalmia using neuroradiological imaging

Anophthalmia is a condition of the absence of an eye and the presence of a small eye within the orbit. It is associated with many known syndromes. Clinical findings, as well as imaging modalities and genetic analysis, are important in making the diagnosis. Imaging modalities are crucial scanning methods. Cryptophthalmos, cyclopia, synophthalmia and congenital cystic eye should be considered in differential diagnoses. We report two clinical anophthalmic siblings, emphasizing the importance of neuroradiological and orbital imaging findings in distinguishing true congenital anophthalmia from clinical anophthalmia.

Bilateral anophthalmia with septo-optic dysplasia

Bilateral anophthalmia is a rare entity and association with septo-optic dysplasia is an even rare condition. The condition is characterized by absent eyeballs in the presence of eyelids, conjunctiva or lacrimal apparatus. Though anophthalmia can be diagnosed clinically, imaging plays a crucial role in delineating the associated anomalies. In addition, often clinical anophthalmia may prove to be severe microphthalmia on imaging. We describe the imaging findings in an infant with bilateral anophthalmia and septo-optic dysplasia.

Microphthalmos: clinical and ultrasonographic findings

We analyzed ocular and ultrasonographic findings of microphthalmos and associated ocular and systemic pathologies in 27 microphthalmic eyes. A high incidence of consanguinous marriages (26%) was present among the parents of patients. Associated systemic abnormalities were growth retardation, congenital rubella, cleft lip and palate, facial hemangioma, inguinal hernia, clinodactyly, Hurler syndrome, Goltz-Gorlin syndrome and Hallermann-Streiff syndrome. A variety of ocular/systemic abnormalities were encountered. Early ultrasonographic diagnosis and description of other ocular and systemic pathologies are essential.

Microphthalmia and brain atrophy: A novel neurodegenerative disease

OBJECTIVE

To delineate the features of a novel neurodegenerative disease.

METHODS

We report three children of three related families with congenital microphthalmia and blindness, and progressive spasticity, microcephaly, seizures, and profound mental retardation.

RESULTS

A magnetic resonance imaging scan was normal at birth. However, follow-up studies showed progressive atrophy involving the cerebral white matter and cortex, cerebellum, brainstem, and corpus callosum. The white matter changes extended into the subcortical region leaving only small islands of remaining cortical tissue. Known metabolic conditions involving white matter degeneration were excluded.

INTERPRETATION

We propose this to be a novel autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder to be coined MOBA (microphthalmia brain atrophy) disease.

Unilateral clinical anophthalmia with optic nerve hypoplasia in the fellow eye

We present the clinical and radiologic findings of two cases of clinical anophthalmia in one eye and optic nerve hypoplasia in the other eye. We propose possible causes of this rare finding.