[Enlarged optic nerve head excavation in children].

To present a series of children with enlarged optic disc excavation (EODE) and to define clinicaL parameters for additional investigational workup. Retrospective review of medical records. Twelve children were included in this study. The average cup to disc ratio was 0.75 in both eyes. Indications for neuroimaging included: premature birth, a congenital syndrome, and visual field defects. Neuroimaging was also performed in 3 cases of incidental EODE. Physiological cupping was diagnosed in 11 of the 12 cases (92%). In one cases (8%), periventricular leucomalacia was diagnosed after neuroimaging. No deterioration was observed in visual acuity or cup to disc ratio during a one year follow-up. An incidental finding of EODE, in the absence of a significant medical history and with a normal neuro-ophthalmologic examination, can be diagnosed as physiologic cupping and requires no further workup.