Bergmeister papilla: A unilateral case report

Introduction

Bergmeister papilla also known as a peripapillary veil, develops from the center of the optic nerve and consist of a tiny bunch of connective tissue and represent a fibrous sheath encircling around the foetal hyaloid artery during the period of embryonic development. The foetal hyaloid, which flows forward from the optic nerve to the lens, delivers nourishment to lens. The central supporting tissue surrounds the optic nerve and forms a fibrous sheath where the hyaloid artery leaves the optic nerve. The hyaloid artery regresses during birth, and by the time the eyelids open, it is usually entirely regressed. Bergmeister papilla is a fibre sheath that is remaining of the hyaloid artery.^[1] According to Makino S (2015), the prevalence of Bergmeister papilla was determined to be 0.802 percent^[2] in Japan and in South Indian population was 0.03 percent by using a fundus camera (one stereo pair of 20 degrees optic disc photographs)as suggested by Bassi ST et al ., 2017.^[3] In 2014, Liu et al.^[4] detected PBPs in 11 eyes (50%) of 22 healthy subjects by using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), which was much higher than the prevalence observed by conventional ophthalmoscopy or fundography. In addition, persistent BMP is not thought to be an uncommon ophthalmic condition because the prevalence was 32.14% (n = 162/504) in an autopsy study.^[5] The purpose of this study is used to describe anatomical features and microstructures of bergmeister papilla within the optic nerve in asymptomatic patient using enhanced imaging devices.

Case Report

A 37-year-old male underwent an ophthalmology check-up in May 2022, at the Ophthalmology OPD of the Maharishi Markandeshwar Hospital, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana (India) for a Regular check-up as asymptomatic. Corrected visual acuity measured with Snellen Vision Charts at 6 meter was: (6/6) in the both eye (OU). Slit lamp examination showed a normal lens and cornea, with extra ocular muscles full and no nystagmus in both eyes ([Figure 1] A & B & [Figure 2] A & B).

Fundus photo performed with Zeiss Fundus visucam 500, showed a normal macula bilaterally. In the left eye the optic nerve looks normal ([Figure 3] B), while in the Right eye, on the supero-nasal portion of the optic nerve, there was overlying traction on the optic nerve.([Figure 3] A).

OCT with Zeiss Cirrus HD Scanning Protocol: 21 Line Raster OCT 5000, was performed and showed a hyper-reflective overlying Traction on the Right optic nerve ([Figure 4] A) with Normal Foveal Contour ([Figure 4] B) while on the left eye optic nerve and fovea looks normal ([Figure 5] A & B).

Right eye showed a horizontal (upper image) and vertical (lower image) high-definition optical coherence tomography images show the persistent hyaloid tissue rides up along the neuroretinal rim of the optic disc (arrows) & optic disc cube scans centered on the optic disc show the automatic segmentation of the internal limiting membrane (red line) is raised in the area where the BMP is located.

Discussion

Bergmeister papilla, which is named after Australian ophthalmologist O which can be unilateral or bilateral.^[1] In this case report we describe a unilateral case of Bergmeister papilla in a asymptomatic paptient Bergmeister, is a rare congenital optic disc anomaly, which can lead to future visual impairment.^[6] Bergmeister papilla, which is often composed of glial tissue and refers to the inability to regress the hyaloid artery in the posterior section of the optic disc, is a term for this condition as suggested by Makino S (2015).^[2] Sherman J et al., (2008) studied using spectral-domain Optical coherence tomography suggested that Bergmeister papilla was present in the majority of young age, normal eyes, even though it could not be observed during fundoscopy.^[7] In some cases, it is sometimes associated with cataract, microphthalmia, pre-retinal hemorrhages, or even traction retinal detachment as suggested by Jeon H et al., 2019.^[8] Lin Q et al., 2021 suggest Bergmeister papilla association with myopic eyes in relation to axial length in younger children.^[9] However, a case in 50s with asymptomatic BMP demonstrated optic nerve elevation with traction creating macular schisis on OCT has been reported.^[10] This study had limitations that Visual fields had not been done in this case as the patient is asymptomatic. However, visual function is usually normal.^[11]

Conclusion

So, in the case of suspicious Bergmeister papilla, future monitoring of peripapillary areas with the help of visucam fundus photo and especially by Cirrus OCT HD model 5000, is crucial. Thus, the Cirrus OCT HD model 5000 is a sophisticated tool for detecting the hyper-reflective opacity and adjacent vitreo-retinal adhesions.

Abbreviations

OD: Right Eye OS: Left Eye, HD OCT: High-definition Optical coherence tomography, BP: Bergmesiter papilla

Case Presentation Permission

Department of Ophthalmology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Hospital, Mullana, Ambala, granted approval for the study case report and publishing.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None