Abstract
Anencephaly is a common congenital malformation characterised by absence of a major
portion of the brain. The sequence of brain degeneration starts around 20 days post
fertilization which overlaps with the appearance of optic grooves from the forebrain.
A number of ocular malformations associated with anencephaly have been reported. Based
on the assumption that eyes, which are derived from the brain, are likely to be abnormal
since the organ of origin undergoes degeneration, studies have been carried out on
anencephalic retinae. Some of the results have indicated that retinae of anencephalic
fetuses are abnormal with absence or diminished presence of ganglion cell layer compared
to the fetuses without such a brain malformation. We undertook the present study with
an aim to objectively and quantitatively evaluate retinal thickness and numbers of
ganglion cell in anencephalic fetuses and fetuses without any malformations. Six anencephalic
and six fetuses without malformations were included, all of them from 18 to 21 weeks
of gestation. Histopathological evaluation of retinae was done and findings compared.
We did not find any atrophy or reduced number of ganglion layer cells in anencephalic
fetuses. This evaluation assumes importance since retinae from anencephalic fetuses
can be a potential source for retinal tissue or stem cell transplant. Moreover, the
contention that normal brain development is essential for retinal development appears
to be invalid.
Keywords
Retina - Anencephaly - Retinal tissue transplant
