Ophthalmological Aspects of Pierson Syndrome

Purpose: To study the ocular phenotype of Pierson syndrome and to increase awareness among ophthalmologists of the diagnostic features of this condition.

Design: Retrospective, observational case series.

Methods: A multicenter study of 17 patients with molecularly confirmed Pierson syndrome. The eye findings were reviewed and compared to pertinent findings from the literature.

Results: The most characteristic ocular anomaly was microcoria. A wide range of additional abnormalities were found, including posterior embryotoxon, megalocornea, iris hypoplasia, cataract, abnormal lens shape, posterior lenticonus, persistent fetal vasculature, retinal detachment, variable axial lengths, and glaucoma. There was high interocular and intrafamilial variability.

Conclusions: Loss-of-function mutations in laminin beta2 (LAMB2) cause a broad range of ocular pathology, emphasizing the importance of laminin beta2 in eye development. Patients with Pierson syndrome can initially present with ocular signs alone. In newborns with marked bilateral microcoria, Pierson syndrome should be considered and renal function investigated.