corneal thinning

Keratoconus 9

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Clinical information on one patient suggests that vision loss is first noted in the mid-teens and may be severe by age 23 years. Classical signs of keratoconus including corneal thinning, corneal ectasia, and a cone-shaped protrusion with Vogt's striae and a Fleischer's ring were present bilaterally.

Systemic Features: 

No associated systemic abnormalities have been reported.

Genetics

Heterozygous mutations in the TUBA3D gene (2q21.1) have been found in 4 patients including monozygotic twin females.  The mutation was not found in the parents of the twin sisters which suggests that the mutations arose de novo.  Other mutations in the same gene have been found in two more unrelated individuals with keratoconus.

Other forms of hereditary keratoconus caused by different mutations are:  KTCN1 (148300) mapped to a mutation in the VSX1 gene at 20p11, KTCN2 (608932) linked to a mutation on chromosome 16 (16q22.3-q23.1), KTCN3 (608586) by a mutation on chromosome 3 (3p14-q13), KTCN4 (609271) caused by a mutation on chromosome 2 (2p24), KTCN5 (614622) mapped to 5q14.1-q21.3, KTCN6 (614623) mapped to 9q34, KTCN7 (614629) mapped to 13q32, and KTCN8 (614628) mapped to 14q24.

 

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Treatment has not been reported but corneal transplantation can restore vision in many cases.

References
Article Title: 

Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Blue sclerae, especially at infancy, is the most visible ocular sign in osteogenesis imperfecta but it is not always present.  It is also often present in normal infants.  In some patients, it is present early but disappears later in life. Some patients have significantly lower ocular rigidity, corneal diameters, and decreased globe length.  Interestingly, the intensity of the blue color in the sclerae does not seem to be correlated with scleral rigidity.

Systemic Features: 

A defect in type I collagen leading to brittle bones and frequent fractures is the systemic hallmark of this group of disorders.  Clinical and genetic heterogeneity is evident. The nosology is as yet not fully established and will likely require more molecular information.  Type I is considered the mildest of the several forms that have been reported.  Relatively minor trauma during childhood and adolescence can lead to fractures while adults have less risk.  Fractures generally heal rapidly without deformities  and with good callous formation in patients with milder disease.  However, those with more serious disease often end up with deformities and bowed bones.

Short stature, hearing loss, easy bruising, and dentinogenesis imperfecta are often seen as well.

Type II is more severe and fractures often occur in utero.  Fractures may involve long bones, skull bones and vertebrae.  At birth the rib case appears abnormally small and the underdeveloped pulmonary system may lead to severe respiratory problems and even death in some newborns.

Genetics

A number of conditions are associated with fragile bones and the classification of these in the early literature is confusing.  More confusion arises from classification schemes based solely on clinical degrees of severity.   

The designation ‘osteogenesis imperfecta’ is most accurately applied to disorders caused by construction defects in type I collagen fibers which are responsible in 90% of affected individuals.  The defect may occur in either the pro-alpha 1 or pro-alpha 2 chains which together form type I collagen.  The responsible genes are COL1A1 (17q21.31) and COL1A2 (7q22.1).  Clinical types I (166200), IIA (166210), III (259420), and IV (166220) map to these two loci.  The inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant.

Mutations in the CRTAP gene (610854; 3p22) cause an autosomal recessive OI-like phenotype classified as type VII while type VIII is an autosomal recessive OI-like disorder secondary to mutations in LEPRE1 (610915; 1p34).  However, these disorders, while clinically sharing some features of true OI, are better designated as separate conditions based on their unique molecular etiologies.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Avoidance of trauma is paramount.   Periodic intravenous administration of pamidronate can increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures. Oral bisphosphonates do not seem to be beneficial.  Prompt reduction of fractures is important to the prevention of deformities. A multidisciplinary team is important for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients.

References
Article Title: 

Keratoconus 4

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The cornea progressively thins in the lower portion, usually in juveniles and young adults.  The cornea may appear normal by slit lamp examination in early stages but keratoscopy can show steepening or distortion of the mires.  Retinoscopy through dilated pupils often yields a ‘scissoring’ pattern.  Early symptoms include uncorrectable blurring of vision and visual distortion.  The central and lower cornea progressively thins with formation of a cone.  A subepithelial iron line can sometimes be seen around the conical portion of the cornea (Fleischer ring).  Vertical lines may be found in the deep portions of the stroma and in Descemet membrane (Vogt striae).  The disease can progress for some years but there may also be periods of stability.  Individuals with advanced disease may suffer acute painful episodes following breaks in the Descemet membrane with edema and opacification in the cone (hydrops), followed by stromal scarring.

Systemic Features: 

Keratoconus has been found in a large number of systemic conditions, such as connective tissue disorders, Down syndrome, and chromosomal disorders.  It has been blamed on eye rubbing as is often seen in Leber congenital amaurosis and other ocular disorders as well as in atopic conditions and in individuals who have worn contact lenses for many years.  Cause and effect in these situations is difficult to prove and it is likely that keratoconus is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder.  Only keratoconus associated with single gene mutations are considered here.

Recent evidence suggests that corneal hydrops is strongly associated with mitral valve prolapse. 

Genetics

Less than 10% of keratoconus cases have a positive family history and several mutations seem to be responsible.  Mutations at the 2p24 locus on chromosome 2 seem to cause KTCN4 based on genome-wide linkage analysis in families from multiple out-bred populations.  The pattern of inheritance is autosomal dominant.

Other forms of hereditary keratoconus caused by different mutations are:  Mutations in VSX1 (20p11.2) cause KTCN1, KTCN2 (608932) is linked to a mutation on chromosome 16 (16q22.3-q23.1), and KTCN3 (608586) results from a mutation on chromosome 3 (3p14-q13).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Contact lenses may correct vision satisfactorily in early stages of the disease but up to 20% of patients will eventually need a corneal transplant.

References
Article Title: 

Keratoconus 3

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The cornea progressively thins in the lower portion, usually in juveniles and young adults.  The cornea may appear normal by slit lamp examination in early stages but keratoscopy can show steepening or distortion of the mires.  Retinoscopy through dilated pupils often yields a 'scissoring' pattern.  Early symptoms include uncorrectable blurring of vision and visual distortion.  The central and lower cornea progressively thins with formation of a cone.  A subepithelial iron line can sometimes be seen around the conical portion of the cornea (Fleischer ring).  Vertical lines may be found in the deep portions of the stroma and in Descemet membrane (Vogt striae).  The disease can progress for some years but there may also be periods of stability.  Individuals with advanced disease may suffer acute painful episodes following breaks in the Descemet membrane with edema and opacification in the cone (hydrops), followed by stromal scarring.

Systemic Features: 

Keratoconus has been found in a large number of systemic conditions, such as connective tissue disorders, Down syndrome, and chromosomal disorders.  It has been blamed on eye rubbing as is often seen in Leber congenital amaurosis and other ocular disorders as well as in atopic conditions and in individuals who have worn contact lenses for many years.  Cause and effect in these situations is difficult to prove and it is likely that keratoconus is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder.  Only keratoconus associated with single gene mutations are considered here.

Recent evidence suggests that corneal hydrops is strongly associated with mitral valve prolapse. 

Genetics

Less than 10% of keratoconus cases have a positive family history and several mutations seem to be responsible.  KTCN3 seems to be caused by a mutation located at 3p14-q13 as determined from linkage studies in a 2 generation Italian family.  It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Other forms of hereditary keratoconus caused by different mutations are:  KTCN1 (148300) caused by mutations in the VSX1 gene at 20p11.2), KTCN2 (608932) from a mutation on chromosome 16 (16q22.3-q23.1), and KTCN4 (609271) caused by a mutation on chromosome 2 (2p24).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Contact lenses may correct vision satisfactorily in early stages of the disease but up to 20% of patients will eventually need a corneal transplant.

References
Article Title: 

Keratoconus 2

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The cornea progressively thins in the lower portion, usually in juveniles and young adults.  The cornea may appear normal by slit lamp examination in early stages but keratoscopy can show steepening or distortion of the mires.  Retinoscopy through dilated pupils often yields a 'scissoring' pattern.  Early symptoms include uncorrectable blurring of vision and visual distortion.  The central and lower cornea progressively thins with formation of a cone.  A subepithelial iron line can sometimes be seen around the conical portion of the cornea (Fleischer ring).  Vertical lines may be found in the deep portions of the stroma and in Descemet membrane (Vogt striae).  The disease can progress for some years but there may also be periods of stability.  Individuals with advanced disease may suffer acute painful episodes following breaks in the Descemet membrane with edema and opacification in the cone (hydrops), followed by stromal scarring.

Systemic Features: 

Keratoconus has been found in a large number of systemic conditions, such as connective tissue disorders, Down syndrome, and chromosomal disorders.  It has been blamed on eye rubbing as is often seen in Leber congenital amaurosis and other ocular disorders as well as in atopic conditions and in individuals who have worn contact lenses for many years.  Cause and effect in these situations is difficult to prove and it is likely that keratoconus is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder.  Only keratoconus associated with single gene mutations are considered here.

Recent evidence suggests that corneal hydrops is strongly associated with mitral valve prolapse. 

Genetics

Less than 10% of keratoconus cases have a positive family history and several mutations seem to be responsible.  KTCN2 seems to be caused by a mutation located at 16q22.3-q23.1 as determined from linkage studies in 20 Finnish families.  It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Other forms of hereditary keratoconus caused by different mutations are:  KTCN1 (148300) caused by a mutation in the VSX1 gene (20p11.2), KTCN3 (608586) from a mutation on chromosome 3 (3p14-q13), and KTCN4 (609271) caused by a mutation on chromosome 2 (2p24).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Contact lenses may correct vision satisfactorily in early stages of the disease but up to 20% of patients will eventually need a corneal transplant.

References
Article Title: 

Keratoconus 1

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The cornea progressively thins mostly in the lower portion, usually in juveniles and young adults.  The cornea may appear normal by slit lamp examination in early stages but keratoscopy may show steepening or distortion of the mires.  Retinoscopy through dilated pupils often yields a 'scissoring' pattern.  Early symptoms include uncorrectable blurring of vision and visual distortion.  The central and lower cornea progressively often thins with formation of a cone.  A subepithelial iron line can sometimes be seen around the conical portion of the cornea (Fleischer ring).  Vertical lines may be found in the deep portions of the stroma and in Descemet membrane (Vogt striae).  The disease can progress for some years but there may also be periods of stability.  Individuals with advanced disease may suffer acute painful episodes following breaks in the Descemet membrane with edema and opacification in the cone (hydrops), followed by stromal scarring.

Systemic Features: 

Recent evidence suggests that corneal hydrops is strongly associated with mitral valve prolapse.

Genetics

Keratoconus has been found in a large number of systemic conditions, such as connective tissue disorders, Down syndrome, and other chromosomal disorders. It has been blamed on eye rubbing as is often seen in Leber congenital amaurosis and other ocular disorders as well as in atopic conditions and in individuals who have worn contact lenses for many years. Cause and effect in these situations is difficult to prove and it is likely that keratoconus is an etiologically heterogeneous disorder. Only keratoconus associated with single gene mutations are considered here.

Less than 10% of keratoconus cases have a positive family history and several mutations seem to be responsible.  Mutations in the VSX1 homeobox gene (20p11.2) have been found in what is called KTCN1 keratoconus (the same gene is mutant in posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy 1 [122000]), inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Other forms of hereditary keratoconus caused by different mutations are:  KTCN2 (608932) linked to a mutation on chromosome 16 (16q22.3-q23.1), KTCN3 (608586) by a mutation on chromosome 3 (3p14-q13), KTCN4 (609271) caused by a mutation on chromosome 2 (2p24), KTCN5 (614622) mapped to 5q14.1-q21.3, KTCN6 (614623) mapped to 9q34, KTCN7 (614629) mapped to 13q32, KTCN8 (614628) mapped to 14q24, and KTCN9 (617928) associated with a mutation in the TUBA3D gene located at 2q21.1.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Contact lenses may correct vision satisfactorily in early stages of the disease but up to 20% of patients will eventually need a corneal transplant.

References
Article Title: 

VSX1: a gene for posterior polymorphous dystrophy and keratoconus

Heon E, Greenberg A, Kopp KK, Rootman D, Vincent AL, Billingsley G, Priston M, Dorval KM, Chow RL, McInnes RR, Heathcote G, Westall C, Sutphin JE, Semina E, Bremner R, Stone EM. VSX1: a gene for posterior polymorphous dystrophy and keratoconus. Hum Mol Genet. 2002 May 1;11(9):1029-36.

PubMed ID: 
11978762

Corneal Dystrophy, Posterior Amorphous

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The iris abnormalities consisting of iridocorneal adhesions to Schwalbe's line and pupillary abnormalities suggest that PACD is a congenital disorder, perhaps a form of anterior chamber dysgenesis.  The corneal stroma and Descemet membrane contain sheet-like opacities with clear intervening areas.  These opacities are concentrated in the posterior stroma and are sometimes seen from limbus to limbus whereas in other cases they occur mostly peripherally.  The cornea may be thinner than normal and somewhat flattened.  There is little or no progression of the corneal opacification and vision varies widely.  Glaucoma has not been reported.

Histological and EM studies have revealed some fracturing and disorganization of the posterior stromal lamellae and focal attenuation of the endothelium.

Systemic Features: 

There is no associated systemic disease.

Genetics

A limited number of families with this disorder have been reported and the pattern in each is  generally consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance.  This may be a deletion syndrome based on the finding in a 1 year old African male with a heterozygous de novo deletion at 12q21.33-q22 containing 11 genes.  Anong the missing genes are those for the 4 small leucine-rich proteoglycans associated with this form of corneal dystrophy.  The parents did not have the deletion though.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Treatment is generally not required but penetrating keratoplasty can benefit those whose vision is significantly impaired.

References
Article Title: 

Cornea Plana

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Enlargement of the cornea with flattening is characteristic of cornea plana although corneal diameters vary widely.  Corneal thinning may be present.  The mean corneal refraction value at the horizontal median has been measured at 37.8 D for the dominant form (CNA 1) of the disease, compared with 29.9 D for the recessive form (CNA 2) and 43.4 D for controls accounting for the hyperopia found among many patients.  The limbal margin may be widened with blurring of the corneolimbal junction.  Recessive cases can often be distinguished from the dominant ones by the presence of a central 5 mm area of thickening and clouding.  Recessively inherited cases are also more likely to have anterior synechiae and other iris anomalies.  Early onset arcus has been reported.

Vision in mild cases may be as good as 20/25 or 20/30 but considerably worse in recessive cases with central opacification.  Glaucoma may occur in older individuals.

Systemic Features: 

None reported.

Genetics

Multiple families in Finland have been reported with inheritance patterns suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance (CNA2).  The gene has been mapped to chromosome 12 (12q21) in a region containing the KERA gene.  A Cuban family with autosomal dominant cornea plana (CDA1) also yielded linkage to 12q where the recessive gene is located.  However, this locus could be excluded in two Finnish families suggesting that at least 3 autosomal mutations may be responsible.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Correction of the hyperopia may be helpful.  Patients need to be followed and treated for glaucoma if it develops.  Outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty are not available but the procedure carries increased risk since the stroma is often thinner than normal. 
 

References
Article Title: 

The genetics of cornea plana congenita

Tahvanainen, E.; Forsius, H.; Kolehmainen, J.; Damsten, M.; Fellman, J.; de la Chapelle, A. :  The genetics of cornea plana congenita. J. Med. Genet. 33: 116-119, 1996.

PubMed ID: 
8929947

Mutations in KERA, encoding keratocan, cause cornea plana

Pellegata, N. S.; Dieguez-Lucena, J. L.; Joensuu, T.; Lau, S.; Montgomery, K. T.; Krahe, R.; Kivela, T.; Kucherlapati, R.; Forsius, H.; de la Chapelle, A. :  Mutations in KERA, encoding keratocan, cause cornea plana. Nature Genet. 25: 91-95, 2000.

PubMed ID: 
10802664
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