Table of Contents
- Overview
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Coloboma of the iris is a hole or defect of the
Considerations
Coloboma of the iris may look like a black, round hole located in or next to the colored part of the eye (iris). It can look like a black notch of different depths at the edge of the pupil. This gives the pupil an irregular shape. It can also appear as a split in the iris from the pupil to the edge of the iris.
A small coloboma (especially if it is not attached to the pupil) may allow a second image to focus on the back of the eye, causing:
- Blurred vision
Decreased visual acuity - Ghost image
The defect may include the
Colobomas are generally diagnosed at, or shortly after, birth.
Common Causes
Coloboma can occur due to:
- Eye surgery
- Inherited conditions
- Trauma to the eye
Most cases of coloboma have no known cause and are not related to other abnormalities. A small percentage of people with coloboma have other inherited developmental problems.
Review Date: 10/31/2009
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
