By fine mapping, the disease gene was localized to Xp22.13. Multipoint analysis placed the peak LOD of 4.46 at DSX987. The NHS gene mapped to this region. Mutational screening in all the affected males and carrier females (heterozygous form) revealed a truncating mutation 115C-->T in exon 1, resulting in conversion of glutamine to stop codon (Q39X), but was not observed in unaffected individuals and control subjects. conclusions. A family with X-linked Nance-Horan syndrome had severe ocular, but mild to moderate nonocular, features. The clinical phenotype of the truncating mutation (Q39X) in the NHS gene suggests allelic heterogeneity at the NHS locus or the presence of modifier genes. X-linked families with cataract should be carefully examined for both ocular and nonocular features, to exclude Nance-Horan syndrome. RT-PCR analysis did not suggest nonsense-mediated mRNA decay as the possible mechanism for clinical heterogeneity.

Cystoid macular edema did not occur in the early period after pediatric cataract surgery using current surgical techniques. Longer follow-up is required to ascertain the incidence of CME in the late postoperative period.

Adult‐onset cataract (AOC) is a major ocular health problem and is the number one cause of blindness in the world. It is interesting to note that if the development of cataract is delayed by 10 years, the number of cataract surgeries needed would decrease by 45%. To prevent or delay cataract, the molecular pathological mechanisms underlying the lens change have to be understood, and this requires that the genes involved in such mechanisms should be identified. Hence, in this study we aim to identify AOC families which show a clear mendelian inheritance pattern, as only these families would be ideal for mapping the genes responsible. Over a period of 8 months, from September 1995—April 1996, 17 families with two or more affected members were identified. Segregation analysis showed autosomal dominant inheritance in multiple affected families. We propose to map the genes responsible for cataract in these families by linkage analysis and mutational screening of candidate genes.

Surgical success after one operation was achieved in the majority of all eyes that had combined surgery. In selected cases, combined strabismus and cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure, optimizing the alignment of the visual axes, improving visual acuity, and minimizing the need for additional procedures.

One child in a family and two children in another family had galactosemia and congenital cataract. Two of them had total soft cataracts while in one, cataract was less soft. In addition, they had mild lactosuria. The mothers of the affected children had significant lactosuria and mild galactosuria without cataracts. Fathers did not have galactosuria or lactosuria. Clinically unaffected siblings in one family had mild galactosuria and lactosuria. Pregnancy-exaggerated galactosemia was suspected in these two mothers who gave birth to children with congenital cataract. As an extension of this work, 5001 pregnant women were screened for galactose in urine just before the delivery of babies. Mild galactosuria was present in 54 (1.08%). Three children had congenital cataract and one had changes in posterior pole and cornea. Restriction of lactose by reducing intake of milk and milk products during pregnancy by mothers with galactosuria is recommended to avoid the birth of children with congenital cataract.