Pediatric cataract, myopic astigmatism, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and primary open-angle glaucoma co-segregating in a family
2011

Genetic Eye Disorders in an Australian Family

Sample size: 12 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mackey D.A., Hewitt A.W., Ruddle J.B., Vote B., Buttery R.G., Toomes C., Metlapally R., Li Y.J., Tran-Viet K.N., Malecaze F., Calvas P., Rosenberg T., Guggenheim J.A., Young T.L.

Primary Institution: Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia

Hypothesis

Is there a single genetic cause for the clustering of pediatric cataract, myopic astigmatism, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, and primary open-angle glaucoma in a family?

Conclusion

The study suggests a possible single genetic cause for a new cataract syndrome based on the clustering of various eye disorders in the family.

Supporting Evidence

  • Twelve individuals had cataracts thought to be of childhood onset.
  • Seven individuals had primary open-angle glaucoma.
  • Seven individuals had myopia in at least one eye.
  • DNA testing excluded mutations in several known genes associated with these disorders.

Takeaway

This study looked at a family with several eye problems and found they might all be caused by the same gene.

Methodology

The study involved genetic analysis and ophthalmic examinations of family members with various eye disorders.

Limitations

The study could not fully exclude the EVR3 locus due to uninformative markers.

Participant Demographics

The study included 12 family members aged 3 to 86 years, with a mix of males and females.

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