The morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a congenital deformity resulting from failure of the optic nerve to completely form in utero. [1] The term was coined in 1970 by Kindler, noting a resemblance of the malformed optic nerve to the morning glory flower. [2] The condition is usually unilateral. [3]
Serous retinal detachment can occur in the affected eye. [4]
Although the finding itself is rare, MGDA can be associated with midline cranial defects and abnormal carotid circulation, such as carotid stenosis/aplasia or progressive vascular obstruction with collateralization (also known as moyamoya disease). [4] The vascular defects may lead to ischemia, stroke, or seizures and so a finding of MGDA should be further investigated with radiographic imaging.
On fundoscopic examination, there are three principal findings comprising the anomaly: [5]