title: Optic disc pit: a review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since Wiethe first described the clinical presentation of two optic disc depressions in a 62-year-old woman in 1882, there have been many studies addressing what later become known as the "optic disc pit." The main complication of this condition, termed optic disc pit maculopathy, is associated with visual deterioration. Treatment of optic disc pit maculopathy remains challenging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we review the body of literature that documents the clinical findings, pathophysiology, histology, main complications, treatment options, special features and presentations, and differential diagnosis of optic disc pit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The source of the intraretinal fluid in optic disc pit maculopathy remains controversial. Four possible sources of this fluid have been proposed: fluid from the vitreous cavity; cerebrospinal fluid originating from the subarachnoid space; fluid from leaky blood vessels at the base of the pit; and fluid from the orbital space surrounding the dura.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optic disc pits are a very rare clinical entity, affecting approximately one in 11,000 people. Patients with congenital optic disc pit sometimes remain asymptomatic, but 25% to 75% present with visual deterioration in their 30s or 40s after developing macular schisis and detachment. The most widely accepted treatment for such patients is a surgical approach involving pars plana vitrectomy with or without internal limiting membrane peeling, with or without endolaser photocoagulation and C3F8 endotamponade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, G.Gennimatas Hospital of Athens, University of Athens, 59 Chrysanthemon str, 15452 Athens, Greece. igeorgalas@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Georgalas
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ladas
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Georgopoulos
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petrou
mesh_terms: D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology