Overview
Morning glory disc anomaly (also called morning glory syndrome or morning glory optic disc anomaly) is a rare birth defect affecting the optic disc — the point at the back of the eye where the optic nerve connects to the retina. The name comes from the way the affected optic disc looks: it resembles the morning glory flower, with a funnel-shaped or excavated center surrounded by an elevated ring of tissue and abnormal blood vessels spreading outward like petals. This condition is present from birth, though it is often not noticed until a child is older. The main effect of morning glory disc anomaly is reduced vision in the affected eye. Most cases involve only one eye (unilateral), though both eyes can be affected in rare cases. Children may also develop a 'lazy eye' (amblyopia) or a misaligned eye (strabismus) as a result. In some cases, the retina can detach, which is a serious complication that can worsen vision further. Morning glory disc anomaly can occur on its own or alongside other health conditions, including problems with the brain's midline structures (such as the pituitary gland or corpus callosum) and, in some children, a condition called PHACE syndrome. Treatment focuses on protecting and improving vision in the affected eye, managing complications like retinal detachment, and treating amblyopia with patching therapy or glasses. There is no cure, but early detection and care can help preserve as much vision as possible.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Reduced or blurry vision in one eyeMisaligned eyes (strabismus or 'crossed eyes')Lazy eye (amblyopia) — the brain favoring one eye over the otherAbnormal appearance of the optic disc seen during an eye examRetinal detachment in some casesNystagmus (involuntary, repetitive eye movements) in some childrenPoor depth perceptionPossible associated brain or pituitary gland abnormalities in some patients
Clinical phenotype terms (7)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Morning glory disc anomaly.
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Specialists
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Morning glory disc anomaly.
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Caregiver Resources
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Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How much vision does my child have in the affected eye, and what is the realistic outlook for improvement?,Does my child need a brain MRI, and what are you looking for?,What is the risk of retinal detachment, and what warning signs should I watch for at home?,Is patching therapy recommended, and how long will my child need to do it?,Should we see a clinical geneticist to check for an underlying genetic cause?,Are there any activity restrictions my child should follow to protect their eye?,How often should my child have eye exams, and what specialists should be part of their care team?
Common questions about Morning glory disc anomaly
What is Morning glory disc anomaly?
Morning glory disc anomaly (also called morning glory syndrome or morning glory optic disc anomaly) is a rare birth defect affecting the optic disc — the point at the back of the eye where the optic nerve connects to the retina. The name comes from the way the affected optic disc looks: it resembles the morning glory flower, with a funnel-shaped or excavated center surrounded by an elevated ring of tissue and abnormal blood vessels spreading outward like petals. This condition is present from birth, though it is often not noticed until a child is older. The main effect of morning glory disc a
How is Morning glory disc anomaly inherited?
Morning glory disc anomaly follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Morning glory disc anomaly typically begin?
Typical onset of Morning glory disc anomaly is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.