Changes in causes of low vision between 1988 and 2009 in a Dutch population of children.

Purpose: Causes of low vision in the Netherlands may have changed over time. The purpose of this study is to assess trends over the last two decades.

Methods: Socio-demographic and medical data, including ophthalmic diagnosis and inheritance patterns for 2843 children with low vision (0-21 years; 50% representation) referred to a Dutch institute for low vision (Bartiméus) over a 21-year period between 1988 and 2009, were included in the analysis.

New mutations in the NHS gene in Nance-Horan Syndrome families from the Netherlands.

Mutations in the NHS gene cause Nance-Horan Syndrome (NHS), a rare X-chromosomal recessive disorder with variable features, including congenital cataract, microphthalmia, a peculiar form of the ear and dental anomalies. We investigated the NHS gene in four additional families with NHS from the Netherlands, by dHPLC and direct sequencing. We identified an unique mutation in each family.