Communication between the subretinal space and the vitreous cavity in the morning glory syndrome

Abstract

The aim was to describe a pathogenic mechanism for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a 69-year-old man with the morning glory syndrome. During vitreous surgery for a retinal detachment, a membrane was removed that covered the optic disc anomaly and produced traction on the peripapillary retina. A retinal hole was found in tissue lying within the optic cup, and the hole was sealed using a autologous plasma-thrombin mixture. Silicone oil was used for retinal tamponade. A retinal hole in tissue lying within the optic cup provided a fluid pathway between the vitreous cavity and the subretinal space. Following vitrectomy surgery, bubbles of silicone oil passed through the retinal hole into the subretinal space of the macula. This case demonstrates that a retinal hole in tissue lying within the optic disc anomaly of the morning glory syndrome provides a communication for fluid between the subretinal space and the vitreous cavity, resulting in a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Vitreous replacement with silicone oil resulted in the migration of silicone bubbles into the subretinal space.