NINDS Septo-Optic Dysplasia Information Page While some children with SOD have normal intelligence, others have learning disabilities and mental retardation. Most, however, are developmentally delayed due to vision impairment or neurological problems.
Septo-Optic Dysplasia Septo-optic dsyplasia (SOD) is a birth defect characterized by a malformed optic disk and nerve, pituitary deficiencies and often the absence of the septum pellucidum which separates the ventricles of the brain.