Lisa Payne - Group Leader

Sharron Beasley
Venessa Escobar
Kristy Fendley
Brenda Jackson
Vanessa Martin
Natasha Villars

The Medical Definition

It

is a cleft or defect in normal continuity of a

part of the eye.

Our Definition
A

Coloboma is a hole in one of the parts of the

eye.

A Coloboma may be present from birth or

may result from trauma.
Colobomas

may also exist in the eyelid, a defect

which interrupts the border of the eyelid.

Also known as the keyhole disease or cat eye disease

There are 5 types of Coloboma

Optic Disc
Iris
Retinal
Choroid
Morning Glory

Each type of Coloboma displays the same

characteristics but different symptoms.
All types of colobomas are in the inferior
position, they are all gaps or holes in the
structure of the eye, and severity of damage to
the eye is determined by the size and the depth
of the gap.

Is when the coloboma

covers the optic nerve
which results in loss of
visual acuity.
Effects cortical vision

Is any defect in the iris

that allows light to enter
the eye, other than
through the pupil.
Can effect visual acuity.

Is a gap in the retina and

sometimes retinal
detachment will occur.
Can effect visual acuity.

Is a Gap in the part of

the eye that gives it
nourishment.
Can affect visual acuity

Is a coloboma on the optic

nerve that takes the shape
of the inside of a morning
glory flower.
Effects cortical vision.

It is important that specialist, and educational

professionals are involved with the child as soon as
possible.

The student or client may also be highly sensitive to light.

Problems at school may be due to some of the reading

books being hard to see.

The size of the print

can be increased and
letters and words
spaced more widely.

Good bright lighting

and a crisp black print
on a clean white
background will also
make things easier

The
dog
is
Running. The Cat
is
brown
with
strips.

Teachers and team

members must also be
aware that it may be
appropriate for the child
to wear sunglasses during
times when there is bright
light

Teachers should be
sensitive to presenting
information from different
angles that the child may
see more clearly

Commonly asked questions

What

kind of services will my

child need?
What effects will a child with
special needs have on the
family?
How will my child be effected?

A few answers
take the child to a pediatric ophthalmologist
support groups Internet chats to learn how to care for
their child.
School Services recommended by VI Teacher
Children with coloboma have more doctors appointment
and more treatments that are done at home (patching /
eye drops / medication).
The more severe the coloboma the more time a parent
may have to devote to their child
Encourage your child to do anything they want to do.
The child can play sports, wearing protective eye gear
When older depending on the severity of the coloboma
the child may be able to drive.

The eye with the coloboma can also be

smaller, referred to as microphthalmia
Problems associated with the coloboma
depend on its location in the eye as well as
the severity of the defect.
include

field loss, issues with light scatter and

glare, decreased visual acuity, nystagmus,
strabismus

A person with a coloboma may have difficulty

traveling due to field loss
functioning in bright light
with regular daily tasks due to decreases in field
and acuity

Treatment
not

usually repaired with surgery

optical aids are typically used

iris occluding contact lenses and/or special filters

sunglasses
patching the weaker eye are used to give the student
optimal vision.

In Texas

DARS (Department of Assistive and

Rehabilitative Services)

The DARS Division for Blind Services (DBS) assists

blind or visually impaired individuals and their
families. Depending upon their goals and needs,
DBS offers services to help regain independence or
find a job.
For information visit

www.dars.state.tx.us

or call the Division

for Blind Services at 1-800-628-5115.

TAPVI

(Texas Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments)

is a statewide non-profit organization serving families of children who are visually

impaired or blind, including those who have multiple disabilities. Our children range
from infancy to adulthood. They have various vision diagnoses and levels of visual
impairments.
TAPVI can be contacted at

Address:
TAPVI
c/o Alaine Hinds
11816 Plainbrook
La Porte, Texas 77571
Phone
1-866-55-TAPVI
1-866-558-2784
281-842-7930
E-Mail:
info@TAPVI.org
Website
www.tapvi.org

 Texas School for the Blind

Serves as a special public school in the continuum of
statewide placements for students who have a visual
impairment
Students, ages 6 through 21, who are blind, deafblind, or
visually impaired, including those with additional
disabilities, are eligible for consideration for services at
TSBVI.
Contact information
1100 W. 45th St.
Austin, TX 78756
Switchboard: (512) 454-8631
Toll Free Recording Number: 1-800-872-5273
TDD (512) 206-9451
FAX Number: (512) 206-9450

www.tsbvi.edu

Nation Wide
American

Foundation for the Blind

Provides a nation wide search of services

available in every state
Contact information
Tel: (212) 502-7600
Fax: (212) 502-7777
E-mail: afbinfo@afb.net
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
Website www.afb.org/