[Ophthalmologic differentiation of various forms of neurofibromatosis]

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is one of the most frequent autosomal-dominant hereditary disorders. The molecular-genetic differentiation of NF 1 and NF 2 has important implications for the ophthalmologist. Among 80 patients with NF 1, Lisch nodules were diagnosed in 83% as typical criteria for the disease. In 6 patients who did not meet the NIH criteria for NF 1 and NF 2, the ophthalmological investigation showed no cataracts or Lisch nodules; thus, the ophthalmological examination can help to confirm a subtype of NF. In 8 out of 22 NF 2 patients a juvenile posterior subcapsular cataract was diagnosed. Our examination demonstrates that the diagnostic value of lens opacities in NF 2 patients--especially for early detection of the disease--must be clarified, especially with regard to the fact that there were no patients with incipient cataract and no neuroradiological criteria for the disease.