Pattern of Retinal Breaks and Retinal Detachments in Eyes with Choroidal Coloboma

Purpose: To describe the type of breaks that occur in the diaphanous tissue within the coloboma of the choroid and the types of retinal detachment that are associated with these breaks. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 36 eyes of 36 patients with retinal detachments that extended into the choroidal coloboma. Preoperative findings were documented using detailed fundus drawings and color photographs. Intraoperative identification of retinal breaks was possible using high magnification of the operating microscope. Results: Based on the identifiable breaks inside the coloboma and the extent of retinal detachment, these patients were divided into five subgroups. Three distinct types of breaks were identified within the coloboma: (1) breaks at the edge of the detachment inside the coloboma; (2) oval atrophic breaks; and (3) breaks in anatomic macula that was involved in the coloboma. Multiple breaks were common. Conclusions: Retinal detachments that extend into the colobomatous area always are associated with breaks in the diaphanous tissue. Intraoperative identification of these breaks is relatively easy. Commonly, the breaks are seen at the edge of the retinal detachment inside the coloboma or as oval breaks within the detached diaphanous tissue. Macula, if involved in the coloboma, occasionally can harbor a retinal break.