Real-world clinical and molecular management of 50 prospective patients with microphthalmia, anophthalmia and/or ocular coloboma.

Abstract

Microphthalmia, anophthalmia and coloboma (MAC) are clinically and genetically heterogenous rare developmental eye conditions, which contribute to a significant proportion of childhood blindness worldwide. Clear understanding of MAC aetiology and comorbidities is essential to providing patients with appropriate care. However, current management is unstandardised and molecular diagnostic rates remain low, particularly in those with unilateral presentation. To further understanding of clinical and genetic management of patients with MAC, we charted their real-world experience to ascertain optimal management pathways and yield from molecular analysis. A prospective cohort study of consecutive patients with MAC referred to the ocular genetics service at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 2017-2020. Clinical analysis of 50 MAC patients (15 microphthalmia; 2 anophthalmia; 11 coloboma; and 22 mixed) from 44 unrelated families found 44% had additional ocular features (complex) and 34% had systemic involvement, most frequently intellectual/developmental delay (8/17). Molecular analysis of 39 families using targeted gene panels, whole genome sequencing and microarray comparative genomic hybridisation identified genetic causes in, 28% including novel variants in six known MAC genes (<i>SOX2</i>, <i>KMT2D</i>, <i>MAB21L2</i>, <i>ALDH1A3</i>, <i>BCOR</i> and <i>FOXE3</i>), and a molecular diagnostic rate of 33% for both bilateral and unilateral cohorts. New phenotypic associations were found for <i>FOXE3</i> (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss) and <i>MAB21L2</i> (unilateral microphthalmia). This study highlights the importance of thorough clinical and molecular phenotyping of MAC patients to provide appropriate multidisciplinary care. Routine genetic testing for both unilateral and bilateral cases in the clinic may increase diagnostic rates in the future, helping elucidate genotype-phenotype correlations and informing genetic counselling.