glaucoma

Retinal Nonattachment, Congenital

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The common denominator in this condition is, of course, congenital nonattachment of the retina.  Many eyes are small as well.  Some patients in addition have a vascularized hyperplastic vitreous and often present with blindness and a congenital leukocoria.  Many at some stage have lens opacification, as well as glaucoma and anterior chamber anomalies including anterior synechiae and some degree of corneal opacification.  These signs are often progressive beginning in childhood.  Pendular nystagmus and esotropia are common.  MRI studies reveal optic nerves and the chiasm that are either absent or abnormally small.

Systemic Features: 

This condition is nonsyndromic and has no systemic abnormalities.

Genetics

Congenital retinal nonattachment consists of a group of sometimes familial conditions for which no responsible gene has been identified.  In a genomic study of 21 consanguineous NCRNA Pakistani families 3 had mutations in ATOH7 and 10 had mutations in familial exudative vitreoretinopathy genes.  Genotyping did not reveal associated mutations in the remaining 38% of these families. It is likely that multiple entities are represented but until the molecular etiologies are identified, no more specific classification is possible.

Studies in mice document that the Atoh7 gene is important to retinal ganglion cell neurogenesis.  In humans, both autosomal recessive PHPV and congenital nonattachment of the retina are associated with microsatellite linkage and haplotype matching to a region at 10q21 adjacent to the ATOH7 gene but so far no causative mutation has been found in this region.  However, studies in large consanguineous kindreds in which a deleted DNA segment adjacent to ATOH7 segregated with the NCRNA phenotype suggest that a transcription regulator may be at fault in the timing and level of ATOH7 expression.

The disorder known as persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous is generally not considered hereditary since it usually occurs unilaterally and sporadically.  It is sometimes found in association with a number of syndromal conditions as well.  However, it has also been reported in familial patterns consistent with both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant patterns.  DNA mapping of individuals with bilateral disease found in a consanguineous Pakistani kindred with presumed autosomal recessive disease suggests that a locus at 10q11-q21 may be responsible.

Evidence for autosomal dominant inheritance of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous comes from rare families with an apparent vertical transmission of the condition.

Congenital nonattachment of the retina is also seen in the osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome (250770).  However, this is a syndromal disorder with neurologic and joint disease in addition to porotic, thin, fragile bones (sometimes called the ocular form of osteogenesis imperfecta) resulting from mutations in LRP5 on chromosome 11.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

With rare exceptions, the retina cannot be reattached successfully and phthisis with blindness is the usual outcome.

References
Article Title: 

GAPO Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Progressive optic atrophy is considered part of this syndrome but it is not a consistent feature.  One patient with the suspected diagnosis had papilledema while other individuals may have congenital glaucoma, buphthalmos, band keratopathy, and keratoconus.  White eyelashes have been described.  Myelinated nerve retinal nerve fibers may be prominent.

Systemic Features: 

This is a rare congenital disorder with so far incomplete phenotypic delineation. The diagnosis can be made soon after birth from the general facial and body morphology.  The dysmorphism is secondary to marked bone growth retardation and metaphyseal dysplasia, resulting in a flat midface, frontal bossing, micrognathism, chest deformities, and vertebral anomalies. Psychomotor retardation is common but the extent of cognitive deficits is unknown.  The permanent teeth may begin to develop but fail to erupt (pseudoanodontia). Even primary dentition is often abnormal.  Alopecia is a feature although some individuals do have sparse body hair, at least for a period of time.  Anomalous blood vessels such as dilated scalp veins are sometimes evident.   Hypogonadism has been reported in both sexes.  Individuals are subject to recurrent ear and respiratory infections. 

Genetics

GAPO occurs in both sexes.  Homozygous mutations in the ANTXR1 gene (2p13.3) are responsible for this disorder.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Treatment is directed at individual problems.  Prompt treatment of respiratory infections is important.

References
Article Title: 

Mutations in ANTXR1 cause GAPO syndrome

Stranecky V, Hoischen A, Hartmannova H, Zaki MS, Chaudhary A, Zudaire E, Noskova L, Baresova V, Pristoupilova A, Hodanova K, Sovova J, Hulkova H, Piherova L, Hehir-Kwa JY, de Silva D, Senanayake MP, Farrag S, Zeman J, Martasek P, Baxova A, Afifi HH, St Croix B, Brunner HG, Temtamy S, Kmoch S. Mutations in ANTXR1 cause GAPO syndrome. Am J Hum Genet. 2013 May 2;92(5):792-9.

PubMed ID: 
23602711

Ophthalmic findings in GAPO syndrome

Ilker SS, Ozturk F, Kurt E, Temel M, Gul D, Sayli BS. Ophthalmic findings in GAPO syndrome. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 1999 Jan-Feb;43(1):48-52.

PubMed ID: 
10197743

Knobloch Syndrome 3

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

High myopia and marked nystagmus are cardinal ocular findings.  Night blindness leads to symptoms between 2 and 4 years of age.  Vision loss leads to complete blindness by age 15 to 18.  Visual acuity in young adults is often 20/400 to NLP.  Cataracts with subluxated lenses, glaucoma, and chorioretinal atrophy are often present.  Scattered pigment clumping, attenuation of the retinal vasculature, and prominent choroidal vessels can often be seen.  Marked optic atrophy is usually present.  Phthisis and band keratopathy may be seen in older individuals although no retinal detachments have been reported.  The vitreous is described as degenerated in several patients and a vitreal hemorrhage was seen in one patient.

Systemic Features: 

This variant was identified in a four-generation consanguineous Pakistani family in which detailed information was obtained in 5 members. A hairless, purplish-red patch is usually present in the occipital-parietal region during infancy but becomes smaller as children grow.  No encephalocele is present.  Hearing loss and heart defects have not been reported.  Intelligence is normal.

Genetics

This is an autosomal recessive condition resulting from a presumed homozygous mutation on chromosome 17 (17q11.2).

Other variants of Knobloch syndrome are Knobloch 1 (267750) caused by homozygous mutations in COL18A1 (21q22.3) and Knobloch 2 (608454) secondary to homozygous mutations in ADAMTS18 at 16q23.1.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Cataracts and dislocated lenses may be removed.

References
Article Title: 

Cataracts, Congenital, Autosomal Recessive 4

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

This type of cataract has been reported in a single consanguineous family in which 4 sibs (2 males and 2 females) were diagnosed with cataracts shortly after birth.  Open angle glaucoma developed in two individuals at the age of 7 and 8 years.  The lens opacification involves primarily the posterior subcapsular area.  No genital abnormalities were found in this family.

Another unrelated individual developed progressive cataracts from the age of 2 years.  At cataract surgery it was noted that the posterior capsules were abnormal with thinning of one and a frank lenticonus in the other.

Systemic Features: 

Hypospadias was present in an unrelated male with an inversion of chromosome 9 involving at least two genes.

Genetics

This is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from homozygous mutations in the TDRD7 gene (9p22.33).  Normal function of the gene in vertebrates is required for posttranscriptional control of mRNAs critical to normal lens development.

The single unrelated individual with cataracts and hypospadias had an inversion (inv(9)(q22.33q34.11). One of the two breakpoints (9q34.11) involved the gene NR5A1 which is essential for sexual differentiation.  The ocular and genital phenotypes therefore are likely independent. 

The Tdrd7 gene is expressed in lens fibers and its malfunction causes cataracts in mice.  The evolution of lens opacification in mice closely resembles that observed in the reported patient with cataracts and hypospadias.  Some mutant mice develop open angle glaucoma complete with optic atrophy and nerve cupping.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Cataract surgery may be indicated and patients should be monitored and treated for glaucoma.

References
Article Title: 

Mutations in the RNA granule component TDRD7 cause cataract and glaucoma

Lachke SA, Alkuraya FS, Kneeland SC, Ohn T, Aboukhalil A, Howell GR, Saadi I, Cavallesco R, Yue Y, Tsai AC, Nair KS, Cosma MI, Smith RS, Hodges E, Alfadhli SM, Al-Hajeri A, Shamseldin HE, Behbehani A, Hannon GJ, Bulyk ML, Drack AV, Anderson PJ, John SW, Maas RL. Mutations in the RNA granule component TDRD7 cause cataract and glaucoma. Science. 2011 Mar 25;331(6024):1571-6.

PubMed ID: 
21436445

Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Persistence and hyperplasia of the embryonic vitreous in most individuals results in significant ocular morbidity.  It results from a transcription factor deficiency in retinal ganglion cells which in turn negatively impacts development of the retinal vasculature.  As a consequence, the fetal hyaloid vasculature fails to regress and its persistence leads to a retrolental mass.

PHPV usually occurs unilaterally and affected eyes are generally blind from birth. Leukocoria secondary to the presence of a retrolental fibrovascular stalk is easily visible.  Nystagmus is frequently present and some patients have microphthalmos. The anterior segment may also be involved as evidenced by the presence of peripheral anterior synechiae, corneal opacities, cataracts, and glaucoma.  Contracture of the retrolental tissue In the posterior chamber results in the ciliary processes being pulled centrally and can lead to hemorrhage and retinal detachment. 

The clinical manifestations can make it difficult to distinguish from Norrie disease.

Systemic Features: 

No consistent systemic signs have been reported in PHPV individuals.

Genetics

The majority of PHPV cases occur sporadically, but families with transmission patterns compatible with both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant patterns have been reported.

A six-generation family has been reported in which affected members had homozygous mutations in ATOH7 (10q21.3).  Based on mouse studies, this gene is expressed in the developing optic cup at the time that coincides with retinal ganglion cell formation.  Mice with absence of functioning Atoh7 lack retinal ganglion cells and optic nerves and develop PHPV.

A single family with presumed bilateral PHPV in 3 generations in a pattern consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance has been reported (611308).  However, no genotyping was reported and only the proband and his father had ophthalmologic examinations.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No medical or surgical treatment is effective.  The majority of individuals have no light perception.

References
Article Title: 

Iridogoniodysgenesis, Type 2

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The iris stroma is hypoplastic resulting in a usually dark chocolate color which can suggest the diagnosis at birth.  It may, however, appear slate gray in lightly pigmented individuals.  The pupil is usually normal in morphology and location.  Glaucoma may detectable in the newborn period but it may also not be diagnosed until the 4th decade or later.  It is widely accepted that the anterior chamber angle is anomalous but the architectural and cellular details are lacking.

Systemic Features: 

No systemic abnormalities have been described.

Genetics

This is an autosomal dominant disorder resulting from heterozygous mutations in the PITX2 gene (4q25).

The same gene may be mutated in ring dermoid of the cornea (180550), Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome 1 (180500), Peters anomaly (604229), and in Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly plus (109120).

Type 1 iridogoniodysgenesis (IRID1) (601631) has many clinical similarities but is caused by DNA alterations in the FOXC1 gene.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Glaucoma is the most frequent result of the anterior chamber dysgenesis in IRID2.  It is often difficult to control.  Early detection is of the utmost importance and all members of at-risk families require lifelong surveillance.

References
Article Title: 

Iridogoniodysgenesis, Type 1

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Glaucoma often develops in the latter part of the first decade of life but has been diagnosed in the neonatal period.  It affects at least half of patients with IRID1.  The disorder may be suspected in at-risk families by the hypoplasia of the iris stroma resulting in a dark chocolate color with prominent vessels. The irides may also have a dark slate gray color.  Further, the anterior iris surface appears smooth without the usual crypts.  There are no defects in the pigment layer of the iris, and the sphincter is intact while the pupil is in the normal position.  In many patients the iris is inserted anteriorly with numerous iris processes spanning the angle and inserting into the Schwalbe line.  In yet other patients tissue seems to fill the angle obscuring other anatomical structures.

Systemic Features: 

Systemic signs and symptoms are usually absent although CNS imaging has revealed cerebellar vermis hypoplasia in one family.

Genetics

This type of iridogoniodysgenesis results from alterations in the forkhead transcription factor gene (FOXC1) (6p25.3).  It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.  Rare individuals may have deletions in the 6p area while duplications in FOXC1 are more common than point mutations.

Mutations in the same gene may also be responsible for Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome type 3 (602482), Peters anomaly (604229), and anterior segment mesenchymal dysgenesis (107250).

Another iridogoniodysgenesis disorder (IRID2) (137600) is caused by mutations in the PITX2 gene (4q25-q26), while iridogoniodysgenesis and skeletal anomalies (609515) is an autosomal recessive disorder due to as yet unknown mutations.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

All members of families in which this disorder segregates should have close surveillance for the presence of glaucoma which obviously requires treatment when present.

References
Article Title: 

Microcoria, Congenital

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

This disorder is a type of anterior chamber dysgenesis since the pupil and iris anomalies are associated with goniodysgenesis (prominent iris processes and high iris root insertion) and glaucoma.  The dilator muscle of the iris is hypoplastic and even topical mydriatics have little impact on pupil size. The pupil has a mean diameter of 0.8 mm and only dilates to a mean size of 1.4 mm.  The iris stroma is also hypoplastic and often lacks crypts and collarettes.  Transillumination defects of the iris are consistently present.  Axial myopia is a feature in some families (83% of affected individuals have refractive errors in the range of -10D) and seems to be progressive .  Juvenile glaucoma is frequently present (at least 30% require treatment) and is usually detected in the second (20%) through fourth decades of life.  All patients with glaucoma have evidence of 'trabeculodysgenesis' but the same features may also be seen in some patients without glaucoma.  The intraocular pressure is difficult to control pharmacologically.  Visual acuity varies widely but no retinal changes have been described.

Ultrastructural studies show lack of myofilaments and desmin in the stromal cytoplasmic processes of the anterior pigmented cells of the iris suggesting failure of full development of the pupil dilator muscle cells.

Systemic Features: 

There are no systemic abnormalities in this condition.

Genetics

This is an autosomal dominant disorder secondary to a mutation located at 13q13-q32.  The specific mutation responsible has not been identified but a large deletion at 13q32.1 in one patient has been reported. 

Congenital microcoria is also a feature of autosomal recessive Pierson syndrome (609049) caused by homozygous mutations in the LAMB2 gene.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Glaucoma often requires surgery for control of intraocular pressure.

References
Article Title: 

Submicroscopic deletions at 13q32.1 cause congenital microcoria

Fares-Taie L, Gerber S, Tawara A, Ramirez-Miranda A, Douet JY, Verdin H, Guilloux A, Zenteno JC, Kondo H, Moisset H, Passet B, Yamamoto K, Iwai M, Tanaka T, Nakamura Y, Kimura W, Bole-Feysot C, Vilotte M, Odent S, Vilotte JL, Munnich A, Regnier A, Chassaing N, De Baere E, Raymond-Letron I, Kaplan J, Calvas P, Roche O, Rozet JM. Submicroscopic deletions at 13q32.1 cause congenital microcoria. Am J Hum Genet. 2015 Apr 2;96(4):631-9.

PubMed ID: 
25772937

Spherophakia, Isolated

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Small, spherical lenses are characteristic of this entity.  Lenticular myopia is usually present but no increased axial length.  Glaucoma has been reported in several individuals and speculated to be due to pupillary block.  No buphthalmos or angle anomalies were present.  The lens may sublux into the vitreous cavity.

Systemic Features: 

No skeletal, cardiovascular or metabolic disease is present.

Genetics

Isolated spherophakia is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from homozygous mutations in LTBP2 (13q24.1-q32.12).  Parental consanguinity was present in reported families. 

Spherophakia is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder and usually found in association with systemic findings.  It is commonly seen in the Weill-Marchesani syndrome 1 (277600), in Weill Marchesani syndrome 2 (608328), in the Weill-Marchesani-Like syndrome (613195), in a condition known as ‘megalocornea, ectopia lentis, and spherophakia’ (?), another one called 'spherophakia and hernia' (157150), sulfite oxidase deficiency (272300), primary congenital glaucoma D (613086) and in a syndrome known as ‘spherophakia and metaphyseal dysplasia’ (157151).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

The lenses may require extraction for secondary glaucoma and/or visual rehabilitation.

References
Article Title: 

Weill-Marchesani-Like Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Several families have been reported in which the ocular features were similar to Weill-Marchesani syndromes WMS1 and WMS2 but lacked most of the skeletal features.  The ocular abnormalities included: myopia, ectopia lentis, spherophakia, and glaucoma.  Shallow anterior chambers and peripheral iris synechiae are often present. Axial length ranges from 21 to 23 mm.

Systemic Features: 

Short stature is a feature of this syndrome but brachydactyly and decreased joint mobility are not present.  Height is usually below the 25th percentile and often at the third or 5th percentile.

 

Genetics

This is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from mutations in ADAMTS17 (15q26.3).  See also Weill-Marchesani Syndrome 1 (277600), and Weill-Marchesani Syndrome 2 (608328) for other conditions with clinical similarities but caused by different mutations.

Homozygous mutations in LTBP2 (14q24.3) have also been found in this disorder and in WMS1 (277600).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Glaucoma requires the usual treatments.  The lens may need to be removed for visual rehabilitation and/or lens induced glaucoma.

References
Article Title: 

LTBP2 mutations cause Weill-Marchesani and Weill-Marchesani-like syndrome and affect disruptions in the extracellular matrix

Haji-Seyed-Javadi R, Jelodari-Mamaghani S, Paylakhi SH, Yazdani S, Nilforushan N, Fan JB, Klotzle B, Mahmoudi MJ, Ebrahimian MJ, Chelich N, Taghiabadi E, Kamyab K, Boileau C, Paisan-Ruiz C, Ronaghi M, Elahi E. LTBP2 mutations cause Weill-Marchesani and Weill-Marchesani-like syndrome and affect disruptions in the extracellular matrix. Hum Mutat. 2012 Apr 26. doi: 10.1002/humu.22105. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 22539340.

PubMed ID: 
22539340

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