Lattice Corneal Dystrophy-Variant: a report of three new cases due to p.V631D mutation in the TGFBI gene.

PURPOSE

To report clinical findings and molecular defect in three subjects affected by Biber-Haab-Dimmer dystrophy or Lattice Corneal Dystrophy Type I (LCD1), a corneal dystrophy transmitted as an autosomal dominant tract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and confocal microscopy study. Following the collection of DNA from the patients, the TGFBI gene was screened for mutations by direct sequencing.

RESULTS

Confocal microscopy study revealed that the opacity typical of the disease was assembled in the axial region of the cornea. The causative TGFBI mutation p.Val631Asp was identified in all subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of the p.Val631Asp mutation responsible for this form of LCD-Variant highlights the utility of molecular genetic analysis of the TGFBI gene in order to offer early diagnosis. These results provide more data for molecular diagnosis and prognosis of this clinical and genetic heterogeneous disease.