Morning glory syndrome
 

The optic disc is excavated with white glial tissue in the centre.  The blood vessels appear at the peripheral disc. The surrounding of the optic disc is highly pigmented.  The vision is invariably poor and there may be unilateral nystagmus.

Questions:

1. How does a disc with morning glory syndrome differ from one with coloboma?

Answer
In morning glory disc:
The optic disc is within the excavation
There is symmetrical defect (disc lies centrally within the excavation)
Central glial tuft
Severe peripapillary pigmentary disturbance
Abnormal blood vessels

In optic disc coloboma:

The excavation lies within the disc
Asymmetrical defect 
(excavation lies inferiorly within the disc)
No central glial tuft
Minimal peripapillary pigmentary disturbance
Normal retinal vasculature

 

Return to the main page