CONGENITAL CORNEAL ANESTHESIA IN CHILDREN WITH THE VACTERL ASSOCIATION

PURPOSE: To describe ocular manifestations in patients with the VACTER L (vertebral, anal, cardiovascular, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb defects) association. METHOD: We reviewed the medical records of pati ents with the VACTERL, association who had undergone treatment for amb lyopia at the orthoptic department. RESULTS: A striking similarity was found in three unrelated children, who, in addition to clinical manif estations of VACTERL association, showed total corneal anesthesia of o ne or both eyes that had resulted in recurrent corneal erosions, kerat itis, and permanent corneal opacities. Other ocular manifestations inc luded nonparalytic strabismus, anisometropia, and amblyopia. CONCLUSIO N: Congenital corneal anesthesia may be part of the VACTERL associatio n.