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Keratoconus and Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis: a coincidence or a defect during embryogenesis?
A Yagci1, O Uretmen, S Egrilmez
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. yagci@med.ege.edu.tr
Purpose:
We aimed to discuss the possible role of developmental embryologic factors in neural crest cells in the aetiology of keratoconus and Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis by presenting this case.
Case Report:
We diagnosed bilateral keratoconus and unilateral Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis in a 19 year old women complaining of progressively blurring vision in her left eye. We also examined most of her first and second degree relatives. One niece had FHI in addition to a choroidal nevus in the inferior temporal quadrant of her left eye.
Discussion:
Regarding the common embryological origins of iris stroma, uveal melanocytes and corneal stroma, it might be worth considering that the combination of FHI and keratoconus is not coincidental. A role of embryologic factors in neural crest cells in the etiology of both diseases cannot be excluded.