Anophthalmia and Maldevelopment of the Eyes: Four Cases in the Same Family

WHILE holidaying' in the Highlands in August of 1919, I was asked by the parochial authorities to report on the condition of the eyes of the family of A. C., a labouring man dwelling in the Benderloch.The parents were young, healthy-looking individuals, and lived in a cottage on the loch-side.The external appearance of their eyes was quite normal, and they had no complaint of visual defect.Apart from the condition of their eyes the four children appeared quite healthy and well developed.The local doctor, Dr. McNichol, who visited the house with me, informed me that there had been no inflamnniation of, or discharge from, the children's eyes at or after birth.The appearance of their eyes was entirely one of under- development.So far as we could ascertain there had been no similar condition of the eyes in the parentage on either side.C. C., female, 5 years of age.The right eye was undeveloped, the cornea absent, and the eye blind.The left eye was more developed, the cornea was clear, and there was a downward coloboma iridis congenitalis.The child was able to distinguish and name correctly a penny-piece held out to her.The mother stated that the child could see to lift an ordinary pin from the floor.With the means at my disposal I was unable to define clearly the details of the fundus oculi.J. C., male, 3 years of age, was absolutely blind.The right