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Mirror-image optic nerve dysplasia with associated anisometropia in identical twins
M B Cidis1, J H Warshowsky, S G Goldrich
1State University of New York, State College of Optometry, New York 10010, USA.
Background:
Monozygotic (MZ) or "identical" twins arise from a single fertilized egg, which divides into two embryos at an early stage of development. As a result, MZ twins have identical genomes and are always of the same sex.
Methods:
A case of optic nerve hypoplasia and anisometropia, in association with mirror-image presentation in a set of 12-year-old identical twins, is reported. The monozygotic twinning event responsible for identical twins--as well as the rare phenomenon of mirror imaging--is described.
Results:
The combined occurrence of anisometropia and optic nerve hypoplasia in mirror-image presentation in a set of monozygotic twins provides a unique opportunity to study the genetic versus environmental influences on the development of optic nerve hypoplasia.
Conclusions:
Although the cause of optic nerve hypoplasia remains unclear, its associated mirror-image presentation in this case suggests a possible genetic predisposition.