U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Sclerocornea

MedGen UID:
344000
Concept ID:
C1853235
Disease or Syndrome
Synonym: Sclerocornea (disease)
 
HPO: HP:0000647
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0019629
Orphanet: ORPHA91490

Definition

A congenital anomaly in which a part or the whole of the cornea acquires the characteristics of sclera, resulting in clouding of the cornea. [from HPO]

Term Hierarchy

Conditions with this feature

DiGeorge syndrome
MedGen UID:
4297
Concept ID:
C0012236
Disease or Syndrome
Individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) can present with a wide range of features that are highly variable, even within families. The major clinical manifestations of 22q11.2DS include congenital heart disease, particularly conotruncal malformations (ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, interrupted aortic arch, and truncus arteriosus), palatal abnormalities (velopharyngeal incompetence, submucosal cleft palate, bifid uvula, and cleft palate), immune deficiency, characteristic facial features, and learning difficulties. Hearing loss can be sensorineural and/or conductive. Laryngotracheoesophageal, gastrointestinal, ophthalmologic, central nervous system, skeletal, and genitourinary anomalies also occur. Psychiatric illness and autoimmune disorders are more common in individuals with 22q11.2DS.
Irido-corneo-trabecular dysgenesis
MedGen UID:
91031
Concept ID:
C0344559
Congenital Abnormality
Anterior segment dysgeneses (ASGD or ASMD) are a heterogeneous group of developmental disorders affecting the anterior segment of the eye, including the cornea, iris, lens, trabecular meshwork, and Schlemm canal. The clinical features of ASGD include iris hypoplasia, an enlarged or reduced corneal diameter, corneal vascularization and opacity, posterior embryotoxon, corectopia, polycoria, an abnormal iridocorneal angle, ectopia lentis, and anterior synechiae between the iris and posterior corneal surface (summary by Cheong et al., 2016). Anterior segment dysgenesis is sometimes divided into subtypes including aniridia (see 106210), Axenfeld and Rieger anomalies, iridogoniodysgenesis, Peters anomaly, and posterior embryotoxon (Gould and John, 2002). Patients with ASGD5 have been reported with the Peters anomaly, Axenfeld anomaly, and Rieger anomaly subtypes. Peters anomaly consists of a central corneal leukoma, absence of the posterior corneal stroma and Descemet membrane, and a variable degree of iris and lenticular attachments to the central aspect of the posterior cornea (Peters, 1906). It occurs as an isolated ocular abnormality or in association with other ocular defects. In Axenfeld anomaly, strands of iris tissue attach to the Schwalbe line; in Rieger anomaly, in addition to the attachment of iris tissue to the Schwalbe line, there is clinically evident iris stromal atrophy with hole or pseudo-hole formation and corectopia (summary by Smith and Traboulsi, 2012).
Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis
MedGen UID:
140807
Concept ID:
C0406612
Congenital Abnormality
Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) comprises a spectrum of predominantly congenital anomalies. In its typical form, ECCL is characterized by congenital anomalies of the skin (nevus psiloliparus, patchy or streaky non-scarring alopecia, subcutaneous lipomas in the frontotemporal region, focal skin aplasia or hypoplasia on the scalp, and/or small nodular skin tags on the eyelids or between the outer canthus and tragus), eye (choristoma), and brain (in particular intracranial and spinal lipomas). To a much lesser degree, the bones and the heart can be affected. About 40% of affected individuals have bilateral abnormalities of the skin or the eyes. About one third of affected individuals have normal cognitive development, another one third have mild developmental delay (DD) or intellectual disability (ID), and the final one third have severe or unspecified DD/ID. Half of individuals have seizures. Affected individuals are at an increased (i.e., above the general population) risk of developing brain tumors, particularly low-grade gliomas such as pilocytic astrocytomas. There is evidence that oculoectodermal syndrome (OES) may constitute a clinical spectrum with ECCL, with OES on the mild end and ECCL on the more severe end of the spectrum.
Linear skin defects with multiple congenital anomalies 1
MedGen UID:
163210
Concept ID:
C0796070
Disease or Syndrome
Microphthalmia with linear skin defects (MLS) syndrome is characterized by unilateral or bilateral microphthalmia and/or anophthalmia and linear skin defects, usually involving the face and neck, which are present at birth and heal with age, leaving minimal residual scarring. Other findings can include a wide variety of other ocular abnormalities (e.g., corneal anomalies, orbital cysts, cataracts), central nervous system involvement (e.g., structural anomalies, developmental delay, infantile seizures), cardiac concerns (e.g., hypertrophic or oncocytic cardiomyopathy, atrial or ventricular septal defects, arrhythmias), short stature, diaphragmatic hernia, nail dystrophy, hearing impairment, and genitourinary malformations. Inter- and intrafamilial variability is described.
Van den Ende-Gupta syndrome
MedGen UID:
322127
Concept ID:
C1833136
Disease or Syndrome
Van den Ende-Gupta syndrome (VDEGS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe contractual arachnodactyly from birth and distinctive facial dysmorphism, including triangular face, malar hypoplasia, narrow nose, everted lips, and blepharophimosis. Skeletal anomalies include slender ribs, hooked clavicles, and dislocated radial head. There is no neurologic involvement (summary by Patel et al., 2014).
Al-Gazali syndrome
MedGen UID:
373020
Concept ID:
C1836121
Disease or Syndrome
Al-Gazali syndrome (ALGAZ) is characterized by prenatal growth retardation, skeletal anomalies including joint contractures, camptodactyly, and bilateral talipes equinovarus, small mouth, anterior segment eye anomalies, and early lethality (summary by Ben-Mahmoud et al., 2018).
Ectodermal dysplasia-blindness syndrome
MedGen UID:
340297
Concept ID:
C1849332
Disease or Syndrome
A rare multiple congenital anomalies/dysmorphic syndrome characterized by intellectual disability, severe visual impairment due to ocular malformations (microphthalmos and microcornea with sclerocornea), short stature, hypotrichosis, dental anomalies, and dysmorphic facial features (such as a narrow nasal bridge with marked distal flaring and low-set, protruding ears). There have been no further descriptions in the literature since 1992.
Congenital primary aphakia
MedGen UID:
339935
Concept ID:
C1853230
Congenital Abnormality
Anterior segment dysgeneses are a heterogeneous group of developmental disorders affecting the anterior segment of the eye, including the cornea, iris, lens, trabecular meshwork, and Schlemm canal. The clinical features of ASGD include iris hypoplasia, an enlarged or reduced corneal diameter, corneal vascularization and opacity, posterior embryotoxon, corectopia, polycoria, an abnormal iridocorneal angle, ectopia lentis, and anterior synechiae between the iris and posterior corneal surface (summary by Cheong et al., 2016). Anterior segment dysgenesis is sometimes divided into subtypes, including aniridia (see 106210), Axenfeld and Rieger anomalies, iridogoniodysgenesis, Peters anomaly, and posterior embryotoxon (Gould and John, 2002). Some patients with ASGD2 have been reported with a congenital primary aphakia subtype. Congenital primary aphakia is a rare developmental disorder characterized by absence of the lens, the development of which is normally induced during the fourth to fifth week of human embryogenesis. This original failure leads, in turn, to complete aplasia of the anterior segment of the eye, which is the diagnostic histologic criterion for CPAK. In contrast, in secondary aphakia, lens induction occurs and the lens vesicle develops to some degree, but is progressively resorbed perinatally, resulting in less severe ocular defects (summary by Valleix et al., 2006).
Stromme syndrome
MedGen UID:
340938
Concept ID:
C1855705
Disease or Syndrome
Stromme syndrome is an autosomal recessive congenital disorder affecting multiple systems with features of a ciliopathy. Affected individuals typically have some type of intestinal atresia, variable ocular abnormalities, microcephaly, and sometimes involvement of other systems, including renal and cardiac. In some cases, the condition is lethal in early life, whereas other patients show normal survival with or without mild cognitive impairment (summary by Filges et al., 2016).
Cornea plana 2
MedGen UID:
346616
Concept ID:
C1857574
Disease or Syndrome
Cornea plana is clinically characterized by reduced corneal curvature leading in most cases to hyperopia, hazy corneal limbus, and arcus lipoides at an early age. CNA2 is a severe form of the disorder, which is frequently associated with additional ocular manifestations (summary by Tahvanainen et al., 1996). For discussion of genetic heterogeneity of CNA, see CNA1 (121400).
Yunis-Varon syndrome
MedGen UID:
341818
Concept ID:
C1857663
Disease or Syndrome
Yunis-Varon syndrome (YVS) is a severe autosomal recessive disorder characterized by skeletal defects, including cleidocranial dysplasia and digital anomalies, and severe neurologic involvement with neuronal loss. Enlarged cytoplasmic vacuoles are found in neurons, muscle, and cartilage. The disorder is usually lethal in infancy (summary by Campeau et al., 2013).
Anophthalmia/microphthalmia-esophageal atresia syndrome
MedGen UID:
347232
Concept ID:
C1859773
Disease or Syndrome
The phenotypic spectrum of SOX2 disorder includes anophthalmia and/or microphthalmia, brain malformations, developmental delay / intellectual disability, esophageal atresia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (manifest as cryptorchidism and micropenis in males, gonadal dysgenesis infrequently in females, and delayed puberty in both sexes), pituitary hypoplasia, postnatal growth delay, hypotonia, seizures, and spastic or dystonic movements.
Microphthalmia with brain and digit anomalies
MedGen UID:
355268
Concept ID:
C1864689
Disease or Syndrome
This syndrome has characteristics of anophthalmia or microphthalmia, retinal dystrophy, and/or myopia, associated in some cases with cerebral anomalies. It has been described in two families. Polydactyly may also be present. Linkage analysis allowed identification of mutations in the BMP4 gene, which has already been shown to play a role in eye development.
Oculoauricular syndrome
MedGen UID:
393758
Concept ID:
C2677500
Disease or Syndrome
Oculoauricular syndrome (OCACS) is characterized by complex ocular anomalies, including congenital cataract, anterior segment dysgenesis, iris coloboma, and early-onset retinal dystrophy, and dysplastic ears with abnormal external ear cartilage (summary by Gillespie et al., 2015).
Anterior segment dysgenesis 7
MedGen UID:
462967
Concept ID:
C3151617
Disease or Syndrome
Anterior segment dysgeneses (ASGD or ASMD) are a heterogeneous group of developmental disorders affecting the anterior segment of the eye, including the cornea, iris, lens, trabecular meshwork, and Schlemm canal. The clinical features of ASGD include iris hypoplasia, an enlarged or reduced corneal diameter, corneal vascularization and opacity, posterior embryotoxon, corectopia, polycoria, an abnormal iridocorneal angle, ectopia lentis, and anterior synechiae between the iris and posterior corneal surface (summary by Cheong et al., 2016). In sclerocornea there is congenital, nonprogressive corneal opacification that may be peripheral, sectoral, or central in location. Visual prognosis is related to the central corneal involvement. The cornea has a flat curvature. The majority of cases are bilateral (summary by Smith and Traboulsi, 2012). Isolated sclerocornea is caused by displacement of the limbal arcades and may be associated with cornea plana; in this condition, the anterior chamber is visible and the eye is not microphthalmic. In complex sclerocornea, however, corneal opacification is associated with microphthalmia, cataract, and/or infantile glaucoma. The central cornea is usually relatively clear, but the thickness is normal or increased, never reduced (summary by Nischal, 2007).
Brittle cornea syndrome 2
MedGen UID:
481641
Concept ID:
C3280011
Disease or Syndrome
Brittle cornea syndrome (BCS) is characterized by blue sclerae, corneal rupture after minor trauma, keratoconus or keratoglobus, hyperelasticity of the skin, and hypermobility of the joints (Al-Hussain et al., 2004). It is classified as a form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Malfait et al., 2017). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of brittle cornea syndrome, see BCS1 (229200).
Chromosome 8q21.11 deletion syndrome
MedGen UID:
481861
Concept ID:
C3280231
Disease or Syndrome
The chromosome 8q21.11 deletion syndrome is characterized by impaired intellectual development and common facial dysmorphic features (summary by Palomares et al., 2011).
Microphthalmia, isolated, with coloboma 9
MedGen UID:
767506
Concept ID:
C3554592
Disease or Syndrome
MCOPCB9 is characterized by microphthalmia and coloboma (Aldahmesh et al., 2012). MCOPS15 is characterized by microphthalmia and/or coloboma, with developmental delay in which speech appears to be more severely affected than motor abilities. Additional ocular anomalies that have been observed include ptosis, keyhole-shaped pupils, microcornea, sclerocornea, and anterior segment dysgenesis (Chassaing et al., 2016; Stephen et al., 2018; Singh et al., 2019). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of colobomatous microphthalmia, see MCOPCB1 (300345). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of syndromic microphthalmia, see MCOPS1 (309800).
Colobomatous microphthalmia-rhizomelic dysplasia syndrome
MedGen UID:
862977
Concept ID:
C4014540
Disease or Syndrome
Colobomatous microphthalmia-rhizomelic dysplasia syndrome is a rare, genetic developmental defect during embryogenesis characterized by a range of developmental eye anomalies (including anophthalmia, microphthalmia, colobomas, microcornea, corectopia, cataract) and symmetric limb rhizomelia with short stature and contractures of large joints. Intellectual disability with autistic features, macrocephaly, dysmorphic features, urogenital anomalies (hypospadia, cryptorchidism), cutaneous syndactyly and precocious puberty may also be present.
Linear skin defects with multiple congenital anomalies 3
MedGen UID:
906997
Concept ID:
C4225421
Disease or Syndrome
Microphthalmia with linear skin defects (MLS) syndrome is characterized by unilateral or bilateral microphthalmia and/or anophthalmia and linear skin defects, usually involving the face and neck, which are present at birth and heal with age, leaving minimal residual scarring. Other findings can include a wide variety of other ocular abnormalities (e.g., corneal anomalies, orbital cysts, cataracts), central nervous system involvement (e.g., structural anomalies, developmental delay, infantile seizures), cardiac concerns (e.g., hypertrophic or oncocytic cardiomyopathy, atrial or ventricular septal defects, arrhythmias), short stature, diaphragmatic hernia, nail dystrophy, hearing impairment, and genitourinary malformations. Inter- and intrafamilial variability is described.
Neurocardiofaciodigital syndrome
MedGen UID:
1804193
Concept ID:
C5677020
Disease or Syndrome
Neurocardiofaciodigital syndrome (NCFD) is characterized by severe developmental delay, variable brain anomalies, congenital heart defects, dysmorphic facial features, and a distinctive type of synpolydactyly with a supernumerary hypoplastic digit between the fourth and fifth digits of the hands and/or feet. Other features include eye abnormalities, hearing impairment, and electroencephalogram anomalies (summary by Horn et al., 2021).
Isolated microphthalmia 3
MedGen UID:
1823955
Concept ID:
C5774181
Disease or Syndrome
Syndromic microphthalmia-16 (MCOPS16) is characterized by bilateral severe microphthalmia or anophthalmia with variable presence of midline defects, including cleft lip and palate, absence of frontal and/or sphenoidal sinuses, and absent pituitary gland. Some patients exhibit developmental delay and intellectual disability or autism (Voronina et al., 2004; Abouzeid et al., 2012; Chassaing et al., 2014; Brachet et al., 2019). For discussion of the genetic heterogeneity of syndromic microphthalmia, see MCOPS1 (309800).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Krab LC, Marcos-Alcalde I, Assaf M, Balasubramanian M, Andersen JB, Bisgaard AM, Fitzpatrick DR, Gudmundsson S, Huisman SA, Kalayci T, Maas SM, Martinez F, McKee S, Menke LA, Mulder PA, Murch OD, Parker M, Pie J, Ramos FJ, Rieubland C, Rosenfeld Mokry JA, Scarano E, Shinawi M, Gómez-Puertas P, Tümer Z, Hennekam RC
Hum Genet 2020 May;139(5):575-592. Epub 2020 Mar 19 doi: 10.1007/s00439-020-02138-2. PMID: 32193685Free PMC Article
Miao S, Lin Q, Liu Y, Song YW, Zhang YN, Pan ZQ
Med Princ Pract 2020;29(1):18-24. Epub 2019 Jun 28 doi: 10.1159/000501763. PMID: 31247621Free PMC Article
Plaisancié J, Ragge NK, Dollfus H, Kaplan J, Lehalle D, Francannet C, Morin G, Colineaux H, Calvas P, Chassaing N
Clin Genet 2018 Apr;93(4):837-845. doi: 10.1111/cge.13177. PMID: 29136273

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Borik K, Mohney BG, Hodge D, Reynolds MM
Eur J Ophthalmol 2024 May;34(3):734-738. Epub 2023 Sep 24 doi: 10.1177/11206721231202900. PMID: 37743596
Kalinnikov YY, Dinh THA, Zolotarevskiy AV, Kalinnikova SY
Vestn Oftalmol 2023;139(1):55-66. doi: 10.17116/oftalma202313901155. PMID: 36924515
Kaushik S, Snehi S, Kaur S, Kaur A, Choudhary S, Thattaruthody F, Pandav SS
J AAPOS 2022 Dec;26(6):298.e1-298.e5. Epub 2022 Sep 29 doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2022.07.012. PMID: 36183996
Schittkowski MP, Martius S, Elabbasy M, Knappe S, Guthoff RF
Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022 Jan;239(1):64-72. Epub 2022 Feb 4 doi: 10.1055/a-1685-5002. PMID: 35120379
Zhang BN, Chan TCY, Tam POS, Liu Y, Pang CP, Jhanji V, Chen LJ, Chu WK
Dis Markers 2019;2019:8781524. Epub 2019 Nov 12 doi: 10.1155/2019/8781524. PMID: 31781308Free PMC Article

Diagnosis

Gouider D, Choura R, Mekni M, Sayadi J, Malek I, Nacef L
J Fr Ophtalmol 2021 Sep;44(7):1089-1091. Epub 2021 Jun 18 doi: 10.1016/j.jfo.2021.05.001. PMID: 34148700
Javaid A, Orakzai AA
J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2020 Oct-Dec;32(Suppl 1)(4):S701-S703. PMID: 33754535
Quiroz-Casian N, Chacon-Camacho OF, Barragan-Arevalo T, Nava-Valdez J, Lieberman E, Salgado-Medina A, Navas A, Graue-Hernandez EO, Zenteno JC
Cornea 2018 Sep;37(9):1178-1181. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000001655. PMID: 29878917
Mataftsi A, Islam L, Kelberman D, Sowden JC, Nischal KK
Mol Vis 2011;17:1624-40. Epub 2011 Jun 17 PMID: 21738392Free PMC Article
Perry LD, Edwards WC, Bramson RT
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 1978 Jul-Aug;15(4):226-30. doi: 10.3928/0191-3913-19780701-09. PMID: 105122

Therapy

Jacobson A, Besirli CG, Bohnsack BL
BMC Ophthalmol 2022 Apr 1;22(1):149. doi: 10.1186/s12886-022-02373-3. PMID: 35365117Free PMC Article
Matsuura K, Miyazaki D, Sasaki SI, Yakura K, Inoue Y, Sakamoto M
Jpn J Ophthalmol 2016 Nov;60(6):433-438. Epub 2016 Aug 22 doi: 10.1007/s10384-016-0471-z. PMID: 27550429
Ma DH, Yeh LK, Chen HC, Chang AM, Ho YJ, Chang SH, Yang U
Mol Vis 2014;20:468-79. Epub 2014 Apr 11 PMID: 24744607Free PMC Article
Vajpayee RB, Ramu M, Panda A, Sharma N, Tabin GC, Anand JR
Ophthalmology 1999 Apr;106(4):829-32. doi: 10.1016/S0161-6420(99)90174-4. PMID: 10201610
Frueh BE, Brown SI
Br J Ophthalmol 1997 Dec;81(12):1064-9. doi: 10.1136/bjo.81.12.1064. PMID: 9497466Free PMC Article

Prognosis

Borik K, Mohney BG, Hodge D, Reynolds MM
Eur J Ophthalmol 2024 May;34(3):734-738. Epub 2023 Sep 24 doi: 10.1177/11206721231202900. PMID: 37743596
Zhang BN, Chan TCY, Tam POS, Liu Y, Pang CP, Jhanji V, Chen LJ, Chu WK
Dis Markers 2019;2019:8781524. Epub 2019 Nov 12 doi: 10.1155/2019/8781524. PMID: 31781308Free PMC Article
Nischal KK
Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2012 Sep;23(5):344-54. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0b013e328356893d. PMID: 22871880
Desir J, Abramowicz M
Orphanet J Rare Dis 2008 Oct 15;3:28. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-3-28. PMID: 18922146Free PMC Article
Frueh BE, Brown SI
Br J Ophthalmol 1997 Dec;81(12):1064-9. doi: 10.1136/bjo.81.12.1064. PMID: 9497466Free PMC Article

Clinical prediction guides

Zhang BN, Chan TCY, Tam POS, Liu Y, Pang CP, Jhanji V, Chen LJ, Chu WK
Dis Markers 2019;2019:8781524. Epub 2019 Nov 12 doi: 10.1155/2019/8781524. PMID: 31781308Free PMC Article
Happ H, Schilter KF, Weh E, Reis LM, Semina EV
Am J Med Genet A 2016 Sep;170(9):2471-5. Epub 2016 Jul 5 doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37840. PMID: 27378168Free PMC Article
Ma DH, Yeh LK, Chen HC, Chang AM, Ho YJ, Chang SH, Yang U
Mol Vis 2014;20:468-79. Epub 2014 Apr 11 PMID: 24744607Free PMC Article
Happle R
Acta Paediatr Suppl 2006 Apr;95(451):16-23. doi: 10.1080/08035320600618775. PMID: 16720460
Ragge NK, Lorenz B, Schneider A, Bushby K, de Sanctis L, de Sanctis U, Salt A, Collin JR, Vivian AJ, Free SL, Thompson P, Williamson KA, Sisodiya SM, van Heyningen V, Fitzpatrick DR
Am J Med Genet A 2005 May 15;135(1):1-7; discussion 8. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.30642. PMID: 15812812

Recent systematic reviews

Mataftsi A, Islam L, Kelberman D, Sowden JC, Nischal KK
Mol Vis 2011;17:1624-40. Epub 2011 Jun 17 PMID: 21738392Free PMC Article

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...