Ocular findings in Jansen metaphyseal chondrodysplasia
Fiona Obiezu1, M Teresa Magone De Quadros Costa2, Laryssa A Huryn2
1Skeletal Disorders & Mineral Homeostasis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
Insights
Jansen metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC) patients often exhibit ocular issues, including optic nerve damage linked to skull base narrowing. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and management of these vision-threatening complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Jansen metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC) is an ultra-rare genetic disorder.
- It stems from germline heterozygous *PTHR1* variants causing constitutive parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor activation.
- Ocular manifestations of JMC have not been well-described.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively report the ocular findings in patients with Jansen metaphyseal chondrodysplasia.
- To investigate the association between ocular abnormalities and craniofacial changes, particularly optic canal narrowing.
Main Methods:
- Six patients with JMC underwent detailed ophthalmic evaluations.
- Methods included spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual field testing, and craniofacial CT scans.
Main Results:
- Most patients had good visual acuity, but common findings included widely spaced eyes and downslanted palpebral fissures.
- One patient developed optic nerve atrophy with retinal nerve fiber layer thinning and optic canal narrowing.
- Decreased retinal ganglion cell layer analysis (GCA) on OCT indicated subclinical optic nerve atrophy in 4/6 patients.
Conclusions:
- JMC patients present significant ocular findings, notably optic canal narrowing due to skull base bone overgrowth.
- Progressive optic neuropathy may occur, with OCT GCA serving as a potential biomarker.
- Regular ophthalmic examinations, including OCT and imaging, are recommended for JMC patients.
Abstract:
Jansen metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC) is an ultra-rare disorder caused by germline heterozygous PTHR1 variants resulting in constitutive activation of parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor. A description of ocular manifestations of the disease is lacking. Six patients with JMC underwent a detailed ophthalmic evaluation, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual field testing, and craniofacial CT scans. Five of 6 patients had good visual acuity. All patients had widely spaced eyes; 5/6 had downslanted palpebral fissures. One patient had proptosis, and another had bilateral ptosis. Two patients had incomplete closure of the eyelids (lagophthalmos), one had a history of progressive right facial nerve palsy with profuse epiphora, while the second had advanced optic nerve atrophy with corresponding retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning on OCT and significant bilateral optic canal narrowing on CT scan. Additionally, this patient also had central visual field defects and abnormal color vision. A third patient had normal visual acuity, subtle temporal pallor of the optic nerve head, normal average RNFL, but decreased temporal RNFL and retinal ganglion cell layer analysis (GCA) on OCT. GCA was decreased in 4/6 patients indicating a subclinical optic nerve atrophic process. None of the patients had glaucoma or high myopia. These data represent the first comprehensive report of ophthalmic findings in JMC. Patients with JMC have significant eye findings associated with optic canal narrowing due to extensive skull base dysplastic bone overgrowth that appear to be more prevalent and pronounced with age. Progressive optic neuropathy from optic canal narrowing may be a feature of JMC, and OCT GCA can serve as a useful biomarker for progression in the setting of optic canal narrowing. We suggest that patients with JMC should undergo regular ophthalmic examination including color vision, OCT, visual field testing, orbital, and craniofacial imaging.
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