microcornea

Oculoauricular Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

This rare malformation syndrome affects primarily the eyes and ears.  The globes are small and usually have colobomas of both anterior and posterior segments.  The corneas likewise are small and often have opacities.  The anterior segment is dysplastic with anterior and/or posterior synechiae.  Glaucoma may be present.  The lenses may be small and often become cataractous.  There is a progressive rod-cone dystrophy associated with a pigmentary retinopathy.  Chorioretinal lacunae have been seen in the equatorial region.  The retinal degeneration is progressive, beginning with rod dysfunction but followed by deterioration of all receptors.  The onset in early childhood results in poor vision and nystagmus. 

Systemic Features: 

The external ears are abnormal.  The earlobes may have colobomas or may be aplastic.  The intertragic notch is often underdeveloped.  Audiograms and vestibular function tests, however, show normal function and MRI of the middle and inner ears likewise reveals no anatomic abnormalities.       

Among the few patients reported, dental anomalies, spina bifida oculta, and mild dyscrania have been noted in individual patients.

Genetics

This rare disorder has been reported in only a few families.  Based on parental consanguinity and homozygosity of mutations in the HMX1 gene (4p16.1) in affected sibs, this is an autosomal recessive disorder.  In one family there was a homozygous 26 bp deletion and in another a homozygous missense mutation.  The parents are heterozygous for the deletion.

HMX1 is a homeobox gene and the deletion abolishes its function by establishing a stop codon at position 112.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment is available for the extraocular malformations.  Glaucoma treatment and cataract surgery should be considered although permanent visual rehabilitation is unlikely given the progressive nature of the rod-cone dystrophy.

References
Article Title: 

Cataracts, Congenital, Autosomal Recessive 3

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

This type of congenital cataract has been reported in two unrelated Pakistani families.  The phenotype was dissimilar in the two families.  In one, only posterior subcapsular opacification was present.  In the other the cataract was membranous and accompanied by a corneal opacity, microcornea, and nystagmus.  Nothing is known about the course of the opacification.

Systemic Features: 

No systemic disease is apparently present.

Genetics

Consanguinity was reported for both families.  Fine mapping identified a locus at 1p34.3-p32.2 that cosegregates with the lens opacities but the mutation is unknown.  This region is distinct from the locus containing the mutation(s) causing Volkmann (115665) and posterior polar (116600) autosomal dominant cataracts.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Visually significant lens opacities could be removed.

References
Article Title: 

Microphthalmia, Syndromic 1

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Microphthalmia is often a part of other ocular and systemic anomalies.  The full range of essential features of Lenz microphthalmia remains unknown but is often diagnosed in males when colobomas and microcornea are associated with mental deficits together with urogenital and skeletal anomalies.  Microphthalmos may be unilateral and ocular cysts are common.  The globes may be sufficiently small that anophthalmia is sometimes diagnosed but this is a misnomer as some ocular tissue is always present.   Sixty per cent of eyes have colobomas which are often bilateral and may involve the optic disc, choroid, ciliary body, and iris.  Blindness is common.  

Systemic Features: 

A large number of associated systemic anomalies have been reported with this type of microphthalmia.  Skeletal features include microcephaly, spinal deformities, high arched palate, pectus excavatum, absent or dysplastic clavicles (accounting for the narrow or sagging shoulders), and digital anomalies including syndactyly, duplicated thumbs and clinodactyly.  Physical growth retardation is evident by shortness of stature.   Urogenital malformations are present in 77% of individuals and include hypospadius, cryptorchidism, hydroureter, and renal dysgenesis.  Dental anomalies include oligodontia and irregular lower incisors that may be widely spaced.  Some degree of intellectual disability is present in 63%.  The ears may be abnormally shaped, low-set, rotated posteriorly, and anteverted. 

Genetics

This is a rare X-linked disorder that is apparently due to an unknown mutation at Xq27-Xq28.  No male-to-male transmission has been observed but affected males rarely reproduce as a result of various urogenital anomalies.

A somewhat similar X-linked syndrome of microphthalmia, sometimes called OFCD syndrome (syndromic 2 microphthalmia; 300166) has been reported to be caused by mutations in BCOR (Xp11.4).  This MCOPS2 disorder is often considered to be X-linked dominant with lethality in males.

Another X-linked non-syndromic form of microphthalmia with colobomas has been reported (Microphthalmia with Coloboma, X-Linked; 300345).  In addition there is a similar disorder of simple Microphthalmia with Coloboma that is inherited either in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive pattern (605738, 610092, 611638, 613703, 251505 ).

Pedigree: 
X-linked recessive, carrier mother
X-linked recessive, father affected
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

There is no treatment beyond supportive care for specific health issues. 

References
Article Title: 

Nance-Horan Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Congenital cataracts are a feature of this X-linked disorder.  These consist of bilateral, dense nuclear opacification (in most males) but sutural opacities are also seen, especially in carrier females.  If the nuclear cataracts are not treated promptly, severe amblyopia, nystagmus, and strabismus may result.  Microcornea, congenital glaucoma, scleral staphylomas, and retinal cystoid degeneration may also be present.  Microphthalmia has been described. These ocular signs are present in 90% of heterozygous females but they may be subtle and careful examination is required to identify them.  Cataract surgery is usually not required in females. 

Systemic Features: 

This is a developmental disorder in which facial dysmorphism and dental anomalies are consistent systemic features in affected males.  Some patients (30%) also have some intellectual impairment while others have developmental delays and behavior problems.  The pinnae may be anteverted and often appear large while the nose and nasal bridge are prominent.  The teeth in males are small and pointed or 'screwdriver shaped' and are widely separated (sometimes called Hutchinson teeth).  The enamel may be hypoplastic and dental agenesis can be present.  Supernumerary incisors have been described.  The facial and dental features may be present in female carriers but are less pronounced.  Females do not have intellectual impairment. 

Genetics

This is an X-linked recessive (dominant?) disorder resulting from mutations in the NHS gene located at Xp22.13.  However, heterozygous females may have clinical manifestations, including dense cataracts, and all offspring of such females need ophthalmological evaluations at birth.

It is likely that at least some cases of X-linked congenital cataract (CXN; 302200) represent this disorder because the facial dysmorphism may be subtle and easily missed in Nance-Horan.  Of course, the two disorders may also be allelic.  A variety of alterations in the NHS gene, including copy number variations, intragenic deletions, and duplication/triplication arrangements, have been found.  The occasionally subtle facial dysmorphology and the dental abnormalities are easily missed in patients in whom congenital cataracts are the primary clinical concern.  

Pedigree: 
X-linked recessive, carrier mother
X-linked recessive, father affected
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Visually significant cataracts should be removed early to allow for normal visual maturation.  Glaucoma must be treated appropriately.  At risk males and females should have dental X-rays and dental surgery may be required.  Special education may be beneficial in males. 

References
Article Title: 

X-linked cataract and Nance-Horan syndrome are allelic disorders

Coccia M, Brooks SP, Webb TR, Christodoulou K, Wozniak IO, Murday V, Balicki M, Yee HA, Wangensteen T, Riise R, Saggar AK, Park SM, Kanuga N, Francis PJ, Maher ER, Moore AT, Russell-Eggitt IM, Hardcastle AJ. X-linked cataract and Nance-Horan syndrome are allelic disorders. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Jul 15;18(14):2643-55.

PubMed ID: 
19414485

Mutations in a novel gene, NHS, cause the pleiotropic effects of Nance-Horan syndrome, including severe congenital cataract, dental anomalies, and mental retardation

Burdon KP, McKay JD, Sale MM, Russell-Eggitt IM, Mackey DA, Wirth MG, Elder JE, Nicoll A, Clarke MP, FitzGerald LM, Stankovich JM, Shaw MA, Sharma S, Gajovic S, Gruss P, Ross S, Thomas P, Voss AK, Thomas T, Gecz J, Craig JE. Mutations in a novel gene, NHS, cause the pleiotropic effects of Nance-Horan syndrome, including severe congenital cataract, dental anomalies, and mental retardation. Am J Hum Genet. 2003 Nov;73(5):1120-30.

PubMed ID: 
14564667

RAB18 Deficiency

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Microphthalmia with microcornea, lens opacities, small and unresponsive pupils, and optic atrophy are the outstanding ocular features of this syndrome.  The eyes appear deeply set.  Some but not all have ERG evidence of rod and cone dysfunction.  The VEP is usually abnormal.  Short palpebral fissures have been described. 

Systemic Features: 

Patients with the micro syndrome have many somatic and neurologic abnormalities.  Infants usually have feeding problems that is sometimes accompanied by gastroesophageal reflux.  Some degree of psychomotor retardation and developmental delays is common.  Both spasticity and hypotonia have been described.  Some patients have seizures.  Facial hypertrichosis, anteverted ears, and a broad nasal bridge are often noted.   There may be absence of the corpus callosum while diffuse cortical and subcortical atrophy, microgyria, and pachygyria may be evident on MRI imaging.  Hypogenitalism may be a feature in both sexes.  Males may also have cryptorchidism and a micropenis while females can have hypoplasia of the labia minora and clitoris and a small introitus.  Microcephaly is inconsistently present. 

Genetics

This is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by homozygous mutations in at least 4 genes: RAB3GAP1 (WARBM1), RAB3GAP2 (WARBM2), RAB18 (WARBM3), and TBC1D20 (WARBM4).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No effective treatment is available.  Vision remains subnormal even after cataracts are removed.  Nutrition may be improved with placement of a gastrostomy tube.

References
Article Title: 

New RAB3GAP1 mutations in patients with Warburg Micro Syndrome from different ethnic backgrounds and a possible founder effect in the Danish

Morris-Rosendahl DJ, Segel R, Born AP, Conrad C, Loeys B, Brooks SS, M?oller L,Zeschnigk C, Botti C, Rabinowitz R, Uyanik G, Crocq MA, Kraus U, Degen I, Faes F. New RAB3GAP1 mutations in patients with Warburg Micro Syndrome from different ethnic backgrounds and a possible founder effect in the Danish. Eur J Hum Genet. 2010 Oct;18(10):1100-6.

PubMed ID: 
20512159

Microphthalmia with Coloboma, X-Linked

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Isolated colobomatous microphthalmia is caused multiple mutations and usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.  Type 1 is an X-linked disorder with typical features of small eyes, small corneas, colobomas, and elevated intraocular pressures. 

Systemic Features: 

By definition no systemic disease is present. 

Genetics

The combination of colobomas and microphthalmia is found in numerous heritable syndromes but also occurs in isolation.  X-linked syndromes with this combination usually include mental retardation and cataracts but these are absent in the isolated type described here.  A locus on the X chromosome was identified to lie either on the proximal short arm or the proximal long arm but no specific mutation or gene has been identified.  In the single multigenerational reported family, all affected individuals were male except for one female in whom non-random X-inactivation was postulated. 

Syndromal forms of X-linked microphthalmia with coloboma (309800 ) have also been reported.

Pedigree: 
X-linked recessive, carrier mother
X-linked recessive, father affected
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment is available for the malformations but low vision aids should be considered for appropriate individuals. 

References
Article Title: 

Vitreoretinochoroidopathy

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Clinical features are variable in this ocular disorder. Small corneas and shallow anterior chambers have been described in some patients.  Chronic narrow angle glaucoma or frank angle closure glaucoma attacks may occur.  Microphthalmia has been reported but nanophthalmos has not been documented.  Presenile cataracts, nystagmus, and strabismus are sometimes present.  Some patients have normal vision but others have a severe reduction in acuity, even blindness.

The vitreous is often liquefied and some patients have a fibrillary vitreous with pleocytosis.  Preretinal white dots and neovascularization are often seen, even in children.  Peripapillary atrophy may extend to the macula which may have cystic edema.  Peripherally in annular fashion there is often a pigmentary retinopathy extending to an equatorial demarcation line at the posterior border.  The ERG is usually moderately abnormal with evidence of rod and cone dystrophy generally in older patients in which some degree of dyschromatopsia is often present.  Some patients demonstrate a concentric reduction in visual field that progresses with age.  A reduced light/dark ratio has also been documented in several families.  Retinal detachment is a risk.  A posterior staphylomas has been noted in a few patients. 

Systemic Features: 

No systemic abnormalities have been reported. 

Genetics

This is an autosomal dominant disorder resulting from mutations in BEST1 (11q13), which is also responsible for Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (153700). 

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No prophylactic treatment has been reported but patients need lifelong monitoring to detect and treat glaucoma, retinal neovascularization, and detachments. 

References
Article Title: 

Mutations of VMD2 splicing regulators cause nanophthalmos and autosomal dominant vitreoretinochoroidopathy (ADVIRC)

Yardley J, Leroy BP, Hart-Holden N, Lafaut BA, Loeys B, Messiaen LM, Perveen R, Reddy MA, Bhattacharya SS, Traboulsi E, Baralle D, De Laey JJ, Puech B, Kestelyn P, Moore AT, Manson FD, Black GC. Mutations of VMD2 splicing regulators cause nanophthalmos and autosomal dominant vitreoretinochoroidopathy (ADVIRC). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004 Oct;45(10):3683-9.

PubMed ID: 
15452077

Oculodentodigital Dysplasia

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The eyes have been reported as small and sometimes appear deep-set.  The epicanthal folds are prominent and the lid fissures are small.  Microcornea and evidence of anterior chamber dysplasia including posterior synechiae, anterior displacement of Schwalbe’s line, and stromal hypoplasia in the peripupillary area may be present.  Many eyes have some persistence of the pupillary membrane. Nystagmus and strabismus has been seen in some individuals.  A few patients have evidence of a persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, even bilaterally. Cataracts may be present as well and a few patients have been reported with open angle glaucoma.  Most patients have normal or near normal visual acuity.

Systemic Features: 

The clinical features of this syndrome are highly variable.  Hair is sparse and the nails are usually dysplastic.  The nose appears small and peaked with underdevelopment of the nasal alae, and the mandible may be broad.  The cranial bones are often hyperostotic and the long bones as well as the ribs and clavicle are widened.  The middle phalanges of the digits are usually hypoplastic or may be absent.  Syndactyly of fingers and toes is often a feature and camptodactyly is common.  The teeth are small and carious with evidence of enamel dysplasia.   Hair often grows slowly and is sparse.  A variety of neurological deficits have been reported but no consistent pattern has been recognized.  However, white matter lesions and basal ganglia changes have been documented on MRI.

Genetics

Both autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant inheritance have been proposed but in both cases the mutations are in the same gene, GJA1, located at 6q21-q23.2.

This disorder is allelic to Hallermann-Streiff syndrome (234100).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment for the general condition is available.  Cataracts and glaucoma require attention when present, of course.

References
Article Title: 

Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Nearly all patients (80+ %) have microphthalmia and bilateral congenital cataracts.  Microcornea is common.  The eyebrows may be hypoplastic and the eyelashes likewise are sparse.  The lid fissures often slant down and telecanthus has been noted.  The distance between the two eyes appears reduced.  Blue sclerae, nystagmus, strabismus, and glaucoma are present in 10 to 30% of patients.

Systemic Features: 

The facies are sometimes described as 'bird-like' with a beaked nose, brachycephaly, and micrognathia.  Microstomia with a shortened ramus and forward displacement of the termporomandibular joints is characteristic. Upper airway obstruction may occur with severe respiratory distress.  The forehead is relatively prominent, the palate is highly arched, and the teeth are often small and some may be missing with misalignment of others.  A few teeth may even be present at birth (natal teeth).  Children appear petite and are often short in stature.  Scalp hair is thin, especially in the frontal and occipital areas, and the skin is atrophic.  Developmental delays are common but most patients have normal or near-normal intelligence.

Genetics

Most cases are sporadic but some have mutations in the GJA1 gene (6q21-q23.2).  Both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance have been postulated.  Reproductive fitness may be low but rare affected individuals have had affected offspring.  Males and females are equally affected.

This disorder is allelic to oculodentodigital dysplasia (257850, 164200).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Airway obstruction may require intervention and its risks must be considered during administration of general anesthesia.  Lens opacification may be severe even early in life and requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent amblyopia.

References
Article Title: 

Carpenter Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

A variety of ocular anomalies have been reported in Carpenter syndrome with none being constant or characteristic.  The inner canthi are often spaced widely apart and many have epicanthal folds and a flat nasal bridge.  Other reported abnormalities are nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia, corneal malformations including microcornea, corneal opacity, and mild optic atrophy and features of pseudopapilledema.

Systemic Features: 

Premature synostosis involves numerous cranial sutures with the sagittal suture commonly involved causing acrocephaly (tower skull).  Asymmetry of the skull and a 'cloverleaf' deformity are often present.  The polydactyly is preaxial and some degree of syndactyly is common especially in the toes.  The digits are often short and may be missing phalanges.  Some patients are short in stature.  Structural brain defects may be widespread including atrophy of the cortex and cerebellar vermis.  Septal defects in the heart are found in about one-third of patients.  The ears can be low-set and preauricular pits may be seen.  Some but not all patients have obesity and a degree of mental retardation.

Genetics

This is an autosomal recessive syndrome caused by a mutation in the RAB23 gene (6p12.1-q12).

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment of the ocular defects is necessary in most cases. Craniectomy may be required in cases with severe synostosis.

References
Article Title: 

Carpenter syndrome

Hidestrand P, Vasconez H, Cottrill C. Carpenter syndrome. J Craniofac Surg. 2009 Jan;20(1):254-6.

PubMed ID: 
19165041

RAB23 mutations in Carpenter syndrome imply an unexpected role for hedgehog signaling in cranial-suture development and obesity

Jenkins D, Seelow D, Jehee FS, Perlyn CA, Alonso LG, Bueno DF, Donnai D, Josifova D, Mathijssen IM, Morton JE, Orstavik KH, Sweeney E, Wall SA, Marsh JL, Nurnberg P, Passos-Bueno MR, Wilkie AO. RAB23 mutations in Carpenter syndrome imply an unexpected role for hedgehog signaling in cranial-suture development and obesity. Am J Hum Genet. 2007 Jun;80(6):1162-70. Erratum in: Am J Hum Genet. 2007 Nov;81(5):1114. Josifiova, Dragana [corrected to Josifova, Dragana].

PubMed ID: 
17503333

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