Staphyloma

Staphyloma is the term given to an eye whose scleral-uveal coats are stretched with uveal protrusion. This most commonly occurs posteriorly, although anterior staphyloma also is recognised. As opposed to coloboma, staphyloma defect is located off-center from the optic disc, typically temporal to the disc ³.

Clinical presentation

Patients often present with severe axial myopia ³.

Pathology

It is an acquired defect secondary to weakness and thinning of the scleral-uveal coats ³.

Posterior staphyloma

• progressive myopia (or mega myope) is the most common cause
• glaucoma
• scleritis
• necrotizing infection
• surgery/trauma
• radiotherapy

Anterior staphyloma

Seen secondary to inflammation or infection of the sclero-corneal lining of the eye. 

Radiographic features

• increased eye size
• focal deformity (not as marked as coloboma), usually posterior
• non-enhancing uveo-sclera

Differential diagnosis

• buphthalmos or macrophthalmos: congenital glaucoma, neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1)
• axial myopia
• coloboma