Aniridia is a rare congenital eye condition leading to the absence of the iris of the eye. This usually occurs in both eyes. It is associated with poor development of the retina at the back of the eye, and this causes loss of vision. The iris functions to restrict the amount of light entering the eye, so if it is absent, most individuals with aniridia are sensitive to bright outdoor light and their eyes may need protecting. This can be done with tinted spectacles, or with a contact lens which has an artificial iris painted onto it.
Aniridia can be associated with other health and developmental problems. It can also be associated with other eye conditions such as: nystagmus, glaucoma, corneal disease , cataract, lens subluxation and optic nerve disease . Children born with aniridia will need to be closely monitored to ensure that no additional problems develop.
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