Congenital Malformations of the Optic‐Nerve Head

Normal anatomical variations of the eye are a constant source of interest to the clinician. This is particularly true for the optic‐nerve head, where neural, vascular, and supportive tissue converge, each with its own variations. Such diverse anomalies as cleft palate, reduced visual acuity, visual‐field loss, and distortions of the optic‐nerve head may all be related to a single factor affecting embryonic or later development. This paper presents a number of nerve‐head malformations in the context of their embryonic development, clinical appearance, and implications for visual function.