Purpose: To assess the pattern and frequency of occurrence of ocular anomalies among other genetic disorders in Egypt.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 2500 cases presenting with genetic disorders. Cases were recruited from the clinical genetics department of the National Research Centre (NRC) over a four-year period between January 2011 and December 2014. Ophthalmological examination of the cases was performed in the pediatric ophthalmology department of Cairo University Hospitals.
Results: Out of 2500 cases with congenital disorders, 2.4% suffered one or more ocular anomalies with a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. Consanguinity was reported in 76.7% and family history was positive in 35% of ocular cases. The most common ocular anomalies were congenital cataract, retinal dystrophies, glaucoma, and retinoblastoma in order of frequency. Chromosomal aberrations were detected in two retinoblastoma cases and in one case of charge association with cataract and iris coloboma. A truncating mutation in exon 8 of OCRL1 was reported in a case of Lowe syndrome with cataract. A total of 51.7% of ocular cases were non-isolated (associated with other genetic disorders).
Conclusion: In Egypt, ocular genetic disorders are not uncommon among other genetic disorders. Consanguinity is high, suggesting high incidence of autosomal recessive inheritance of genetic disorders with an ocular component. Proper systemic assessment of all cases with ocular anomalies is a necessity due to the high percentage of non-isolated ocular anomalies. Genetic counseling of parents would help in reducing recurrence rates through prenatal diagnosis whenever possible.
Keywords: Egypt; genetic disorders; ocular anomalies; prevalence.