Coloboma is a group of eye conditions where normal eye tissue in or around the eyes is missing from birth. It is also defined as an abnormal eye development caused by improper closure of the optic fissure. It occurs in approximately 1 of 10,000 live births and can also cause vision loss.The term coloboma originates from a Greek word which means “curtailed”.
Coloboma can be classified into different groups depending on the part of the eye which is missing. These generally affect the following parts of the eyes such as uvea, optic nerve, macula, lens, eyelids.
Treatment for Uveal Coloboma
Individuals who are afflicted by uveal coloboma should have a routine yearly check-up by an eye care specialist. But currently, there are no surgery or medication available that can either reverse or cure uveal coloboma completely. The general treatment consists of helping the patients in adjusting to vision problems and making the most of the vision that is left by:
- Correction of any refractive error with contact lenses or glasses.
- Maximize the vision of the affected eye in asymmetric cases. Usually involves eye patching or eye drops to blur the vision of the better eye temporarily for a specific time period.
- In case of asymmetry, try to ensure that lazy eye (amblyopia) doesn’t develop in the childhood. There are few cases where amblyopia treatment improved the vision even in severe colobomas.
- Treat any additional eye condition that may present itself with coloboma like cataracts.
- Treat any complications that may arise from a retinal coloboma at a later stage of life. For example, retinal detachment or growth of new blood vessels at the back of the eye (neovascularization).
- Use devices for low vision, if needed.
- Go for rehabilitation services, for example, early intervention programs.
- Offer genetic counseling to the affected person and family members.
Some other follow-ups are recommended when the affected eye is very small (microphthalmia). Expanders and conformers are used to enhance the growth of the eye socket and to provide facial support. To improve the appearance, children may be asked to wear a artificial (prosthetic) eye.
