Syndromic microphthalmia is a class of rare congenital anomalies characterized by microphthalmia along with other non-ocular malformations. Syndromic microphthalmia accounts for 60 to 80% of all cases of microphthalmia. Syndromic microphthalmias are caused by mutations in genes related to embryonic craniofacial development, and they are typically classified based on their genetic cause.
If microphthalmia is present, genetic testing can be done to inform a specific diagnosis of a named syndrome. Twenty to forty percent of anophthalmia and microphthalmia patients are diagnosed with a recognized syndrome. There are 14 numbered syndromic microphthalmies (MCOPS) primarily defined by their ocular manifestations:
In addition to MCOPS1âÂÂ14, there are many genetic syndromes of which microphthalmia is a key feature: