Some important inherited diseases can cause a negative effect on the eye as well as the entire structure of the body. The disease known as Marfan syndrome is one of such disorders. The disease, which affects the entire connective tissue of the patient, can also manifest itself with the emergence of serious problems in the eyes. So what do we know about this condition? What effect does it cause on the eyes? Let’s take a detailed look.
What is Marfan Syndrome?
First, let’s explain our disease. Then we will evaluate its effects on the eye. Marfan syndrome is a disease that affects the connective tissues of the body and causes the connective tissue to deteriorate. Damage to connective tissue causes the whole body to be affected.
Patients with Marfan syndrome may also have spinal curvature, protruding or indented sternum, wrinkled bands of skin in areas such as the hips and shoulders, or cardiovascular problems due to these connective tissue problems.
The Relationship Between Marfan Syndrome and Eye Diseases
Eye diseases are more common in people with this syndrome. Patients are much more prone to myopia and astigmatism. But more serious eye diseases can also occur.
The most common disease is a condition called ectopia lentis. In this condition, the lens of the eye is dislocated and vision is severely impaired because the lens cannot focus the light rays on the visual field. Surgical intervention may be required to treat the displaced lens inside the eye.
From an ocular point of view, there are other effects of this syndrome. In such people;
- Cataracts are more likely to occur,
- The risk of glaucoma is much higher,
- Retinal detachment may occur,
- Strabismus may occur
- The cornea may unexpectedly thin and take on abnormal shapes.
In case of these and similar serious eye disorders, it is necessary to consult specialized doctors as soon as the disease shows symptoms. We can say that various treatment methods are applied to minimize the effects of this mostly hereditary disease. Appropriate treatments are essential, especially to eliminate the effects on the eye.
