Ophthalmic findings in maple syrup urine disease

Maple Syrup Urine Disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of branched chain amino acid metabolism with an incidence in Ireland of one in 140,154 births. Ocular complications in untreated or late diagnosed patients includes optic atrophy, grey optic papilla, nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia, strabismus and cortical blindness. Seven patients with maple syrup urine disease were studied. All were diagnosed with the aid of newborn screening and commenced on early dietary treatment (mean age at diet introduction = 5 days). All remain physically well, with average intellectual performance, three having minor neurological defects and one strabismus. Early diagnosis, proper therapy and subsequent vigilant management may reduce substantially the risks of ophthalmic complications in this rare disease.