Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is considered to be one of the most common (but also one of the most severe) hereditary disorders of impaired vision that develop during the first several years of life [1]. LCA is principally transferred through an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, and first clinical signs appear after only 6 months in most patients [2] [3] [4] [5]. Phenotypic features are broad in this inherited retinal dystrophy, as numerous mutations cause variably progressive degeneration of the retina and loss of its function [2] [3] [6]. In virtually all cases, however, the clinical presentation is comprised of vision loss and diminished pupillary responses [2]. The inability of eye fixation is readily observed during the first few months of life, whereas refractive errors (hypermetropia, myopia), as well as photophobia, constant eye poking, pressing, or rubbing (known as Franceschetti signs) and consequent enophthalmos are commonly encountered [2] [7]. Other notable features include nystagmus, keratoconus, night blindness (in later life), and the development of juvenile cataracts [2] [7]. In many patients, unfortunately, visual acuity is severely reduced, and the perception of light is markedly impaired [2]. Thus, with a somewhat different clinical course, permanent and irreversible blindness ensues, but rare patients have known to improve overall visual function [2] [3] [6] [7].

• Pediatric Disorder

  Disorders, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. 7 College of Veterinary Medicine and Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65212, USA. 8 Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Pathology [doi.org]

• Turkish

  The purpose of this study was to use genome-wide genotyping to identify LCA-causing loci in two Turkish families. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Central Scotoma

  Visual field testing shows an enlarging central scotoma. Fluorescein angiography may be useful in the acute phase. [patient.info]

• Narrow Forehead

  We report on two sisters who were born to a consanguineous couple and had retinitis pigmentosa-like pigmented retinal lesions, alternating exotropia, bilateral cataracts, and anomalous coarse facies characterized by deformed skull with narrow forehead [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Although several forms of inherited retinal disorders may be included in the differential diagnosis, initial recognition of LCA in early life can be made with a comprehensive clinical assessment. Firstly, a detailed patient history addressing the course and progression of symptoms should be obtained from the parents, after which a complete physical examination needs to be carried out. If the ocular exam is conducted properly, typical signs and symptoms of LCA can be observed and a presumptive diagnosis of a retinal dystrophy might be made [2]. In fact, the physical examination is considered to be the pivotal part of the diagnostic workup, as both physical and ophthalmoscopy findings (a myriad of fundus abnormalities is seen, such as the salt-and-pepper appearance of the retina) are highly indicative of LCA [2] [6]. A more concrete diagnosis is made through the use of an electroretinogram (ERG), which shows reduced or completely absent activity of the retina, pointing toward retinal dysfunction as the cause of symptoms [1] [2] [4] [6]. In addition, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is also recommended by some authors, as it allows measuring of the retinal thickness that is often reduced in LCA patients [1] [4] [6]. To exclude other retinal dystrophies and confirm LCA as the underlying disorder, genetic testing is mandatory. More than 20 different genes have been linked with the pathogenesis of LCA (most important being GUCY2D and RPE65), and a detailed evaluation of respective genes is helpful in determining the exact mutations that have led to LCA [1] [2] [3] [4] [6].

• Central Scotoma

  Visual field testing shows an enlarging central scotoma. Fluorescein angiography may be useful in the acute phase. [patient.info]

1. Wang H, den Hollander AI, Moayedi Y, et al. Mutations in SPATA7 Cause Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Juvenile Retinitis Pigmentosa. Am J Hum Genet. 2009;84(3):380-387.
2. Chacon-Camacho OF, Zenteno JC. Review and update on the molecular basis of Leber congenital amaurosis. World J Clin Cases. 2015;3(2):112-124.
3. Simonelli F, Maguire AM, Testa F, et al. Gene Therapy for Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis is Safe and Effective Through 1.5 Years After Vector Administration. Mol Ther. 2010;18(3):643-650.
4. Pennesi ME, Stover NB, Stone EM, Chiang P-W, Weleber RG. Residual Electroretinograms in Young Leber Congenital Amaurosis Patients with Mutations of AIPL1. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52(11):8166-8173.
5. McAnany JJ, Genead MA, Walia S, et al. Visual Acuity Changes in Patients with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) and Mutations in the CEP290 Gene. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013;131(2):178-182.
6. Simonelli F, Ziviello C, Testa F, et al. Clinical and molecular genetics of Leber's congenital amaurosis: a multicenter study of Italian patients. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:4284–4290.
7. Yzer S, den Hollander AI, Lopez I, et al. Ocular and extra-ocular features of patients with Leber congenital amaurosis and mutations in CEP290. Mol Vis. 2012;18:412-425.