Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe a Chinese four-generation family with severe myopic anisometropia.
Methods: :
18 individuals of a Chinese four-generation family participated in the study,including a pair of monozygotic twins. A detailed family history and clinical data were recorded.Genealogical investigations were performed using public records, medical charts and death certificates. All participants were subjected to ophthalmologic examinations including refractive power, slit lamp, and fundus examination. B-scan and A-scan ultrasonography were additionally ordered for each affected patient for further evaluation.
Results: :
Five individuals were affected with severe myopic anisometropia (difference in spherical equivalent between both eyes exceeding 3diopter) within this family, including a pair of monozygotic twins. In all affected individuals, the right eyes were all higher myopic than the left eyes and axial length and anterior chamber depth in right eyes were longer with higher myopia. A rapid visual acuity recovery of amblyopic eyes in the pair of monozygotic twins was found after treatment of optical refractive correction and occlusion therapy for 3 months.
Conclusions: :
The co-occurrence of severe myopic anisometropia in five individuals of the family, including a pair of monozygotic twins, indicates the generation of the disease, which supports a genetic basis for severe myopic anisometropia. The successful treatment for the anisometropic amblyopia of the monozygotic twins substantiated the need for early detection and treatment on anisometropic amblyopia.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: natural history • myopia • binocular vision/stereopsis