| A rare genetic developmental defect during embryogenesis with characteristics of various ophthalmic anomalies (including congenital microphthalmia, microcornea, cataract, anterior segment dysgenesis, ocular coloboma and early onset rod-cone dystrophy) and abnormal external ears (low-set pinna with crumpled helix, narrow intertragic incisure, abnormal bridge connecting the crus of the helix and the anthelix, narrow external acoustic meatus and lobule aplasia). There is evidence the disease is caused by homozygous mutation in the HMX1 gene on chromosome 4p16. |