CYSTIC-FIBROSIS AND LENS OPACITY

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fairly common lethal genetic disease in whit es, inherited via an autosomal recessive pattern. Several clinically e vident anomalies of the eye such as xerophthalmia, papilledema, retina l alterations and optic neuropathy have been described. In the present study we investigated lens changes in 40 patients affected by CE to r elate the results to the stage of digestive insufficency. Each patient underwent an accurate ocular examination including visual acuity, sli t-lamp examination, and measurement of lens transparency with the Opac ity Lens Meter 701. The results were compared with those of an age-and sex-matched control group. The comparison between the lens opacity va lues obtained in the CF patients and those measured in the control gro up showed a statistically significant difference; moreover, lens trans parency was more decreased in patients with severe digestive insuffici ency.