Abstract

Coloboma (plural: colobomata) is derived from the Greek koloboma, meaning mutilated or curtailed. Iris coloboma may be typical or partial. Typical colobomas are caused by a failure of fetal fisure closure at the inferior nasal quadrant and are called as “keyhole” pupils. They may involve the iris, ciliary body, choroid, retina and optic nerve. Atypical colobomas are those found anywhere except at the inferior nasal quadrant and restricted to the iris. Colobomas are part of a continuum that includes microphthalmos and anophlamos. The visual acuity is affected when the coloboma involves the disc and fovea, or complicated by any occurrence of retinal detachment, choroidal neovascular membrane, cataract, ambylopia due to uncorrected refractive errors. Cataract surgery in these eyes can pose many challenges due to microphthalmia and hard cataracts, resulting in increased risk of intraoperative complications.

Description