Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
People with blue or light eyes have less pigmented irises than people with brown or darker colored eyes. The effects of aniridia can vary significantly between people. In some people with aniridia, the iris may be only mildly affected. In others, however, the effects can be profound. Aniridia can reduce visual acuity and increase sensitivity to light.
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Aniridia causes slight to extremeunderdevelopment of the iris.In some people, the underdevelopment of the iris is hardly noticeable to the untrained eye. In some people, the iris may only be partially missing. Others may have complete absence of the iris. However, in people with complete absence of the iris, some iris tissue can usually be found during a thorough eye examination under a microscope.
Besides affecting the iris, aniridia can also cause the following symptoms. The severity of symptoms is typically the same in both eyes. These symptoms and complications may be noted:
Aniridia can also be acquired from ocular surgery and trauma.
Diagnosing a genetic or rare disease can be challenging. Healthcare professionals will inquire about a person’s medical history and symptoms.
A thorough physical exam will be performed, as well as a complete eye examination. An eye doctor will be able to note abnormalities of the iris, and possibly other structures of the eye. Genetic and laboratory testing will be required in order to make a formal diagnosis.
Aniridia affects the eyes in many ways, and affects people at different severity levels. Treatment for the disorder can take many forms.
The diagnosis of aniridia may come as a complete shock. Support and advocacy groups can help people connect with other patients and families, and they can provide helpful services. Support is available to help families adapt to difficulties they may face with developmental delays or low vision needs.
A Word From Verywell
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gupta MP.Aniridia. Vision Aware.MedlinePlus.WAGR syndrome.Chao LY, Huff V, Strong LC, Saunders GF.Mutation in the PAX6 gene in twenty patients with aniridia. Genetics Home Reference.Additional ReadingAhmed NR, Tandon R, Vanathi M.Diagnosis and management of aniridia. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). November.Tripathy K, Salini B.Aniridia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gupta MP.Aniridia. Vision Aware.MedlinePlus.WAGR syndrome.Chao LY, Huff V, Strong LC, Saunders GF.Mutation in the PAX6 gene in twenty patients with aniridia. Genetics Home Reference.Additional ReadingAhmed NR, Tandon R, Vanathi M.Diagnosis and management of aniridia. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). November.Tripathy K, Salini B.Aniridia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gupta MP.Aniridia. Vision Aware.MedlinePlus.WAGR syndrome.Chao LY, Huff V, Strong LC, Saunders GF.Mutation in the PAX6 gene in twenty patients with aniridia. Genetics Home Reference.
Gupta MP.Aniridia. Vision Aware.
MedlinePlus.WAGR syndrome.
Chao LY, Huff V, Strong LC, Saunders GF.Mutation in the PAX6 gene in twenty patients with aniridia. Genetics Home Reference.
Ahmed NR, Tandon R, Vanathi M.Diagnosis and management of aniridia. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). November.Tripathy K, Salini B.Aniridia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls.
Ahmed NR, Tandon R, Vanathi M.Diagnosis and management of aniridia. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). November.
Tripathy K, Salini B.Aniridia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls.
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