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.