Abnormal collagen fibrils in nanophthalmos: A clinical and histologic study

PURPOSE: To report the successful treatment of choroidal detachment in a pa tient with nanophthalmos and to report histopathologic findings in this pat ient's sclera. METHODS: Choroidal detachment, secondary angle closure, and nanophthalmos w ere diagnosed using biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and echography. Full-thickness sclerectomies in four quadrants were made on the right eye. Sclerae from these sclerectomies were studied ultrastructurally. RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity improved to RE, 20/60 from 20/100 pre operatively; the anterior chamber deepened, and the choroidal detachment re solved. His topathologic studies of each of the three scleral layers disclo sed abnormal collagen fibrils that were frayed, split, and contained lightl y stained cores. CONCLUSION: New findings include the identification of collagen with lightl y stained centers and identification of differences in collagen morphology in different areas of the sclera in a nanophthalmic eye. (C) 1999 by Elsevi er Science Inc. All rights reserved.