| Title | Ophthalmological findings in a serie of 20 Fabry patients : preliminary results |
| Abstract Nr. | P14 |
| Purpose | Fabry disease is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by a-galactosidase A deficiency. Although sophisticated diagnostic methods exist, clinical screening still remains a major tool in diagnosing new patients. Some characteristic ophthalmological signs will be emphasized in this study. |
| Methods | 20 patients diagnosed with Fabry disease were enrolled in the study: 13 males ( 33-48 years) and 7 females (10-70 years). All but one were receiving enzyme replacement therapy. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination and eye fundus were part of the systematic work-up. |
| Results | An abnormal cornea was seen in all patients: 13 patients had a cornea verticillata appearance, and 2 had a haze. The 2 abnormalities appeared more marked in women. The most severe involvement was observed in a young untreated female. This raises the hypothesis of a possible “wash-out” effect under ERT. 1 patient presented a haze that had been diagnosed on the basis of a cornea verticillata. 12 patients displayed cataract: 3 associated with subcapsular bullae, 4 of the verticil type and 3 of posterior subcapsular location. 2 patients had “pseudophakic” eyes. Some retinal vascular tortuosity, which were venous in 6 cases and arteriovenous in 5 others were observed in 11 patients. The youngest female did not present any abnormality of the fundus vessels. |
| Conclusion | All investigated patients had at least one of the classical ocular sign of Fabry disease. These are easily recognizable by standard examination. Cornea verticillata, a sign with a high diagnostic value, was observed in thirteen patients patients. |
| Last name | COBUT |
| Initials | OC |
| Department | ISPPC |
| City | CHARLEROI |
| Last name | DEPASSE |
| Initials | FD |
| Department | ERASME |
| City | BRUXELLES |
| Last name | DEHOUT |
| Initials | FD |
| Department | ISPPC |
| City | CHARLEROI |
| Last name | VAN MALDERGEM |
| Initials | LV |
| Department | IMTR |
| City | LOVERVAL |
| Last name | VAUTHIER |
| Initials | LV |
| Department | ISPPC |
| City | CHARLEROI |