Morning Glory Disc Anomaly

Abstract

It is believed that morning glory discs arise from abnormal development of the posterior sclera during gestation. One hypothesis suggests that the disc and surrounding tissue prolapse posteriorly as a result of failure of the embryological fissure to close. The anomaly resembles a morning glory flower, from which the name was derived. The disc is enlarged, with a core of glial tissue in its center. Around the disc is found altered pigment epithelium. The arteries may be sheathed, and the vasculature appears to emanate radially from the disc. Visual acuity in these eyes is limited to no better than 20/200 in most cases. Many of the patients present with strabismus. Because the disease is unilateral, patching therapy may be helpful to fulfill the visual potential of the affected eye. The condition is found more commonly in females.