Large cups in normal-sized optic discs: a variant of optic nerve hypoplasia in children with periventricular leukomalacia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate optic disc morphologic features in children with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).


METHODS
Seventeen children with PVL (patient group) were compared with 17 sex- and age-matched, full-term healthy control children (control group). Clinical ophthalmological examination and digital image analysis of fundus photographs were performed in all children. In children with PVL, cerebral imaging was performed.


RESULTS
Children with PVL had larger optic disc cupping (P<.02) than did control children. A large proportion of the children with PVL had strabismus, nystagmus, and restricted visual fields.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates that optic nerve hypoplasia in children with PVL is often associated with a normal-sized optic disc with a large cup. This unusual form of optic nerve hypoplasia most likely results from transsynaptic degeneration of optic axons caused by the primary bilateral lesion in the optic radiation.
Jacobson
L
L
Department of Ophthalmology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Hellström
A
A
Flodmark
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D010781:Photography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed