Eye and Vision Care

Eye Transplants? 07/27/2009

Question:

Is there anything that can be done to help someone who was born with no iris. And now, at 33, is going totally blind? And also, her 5yr.old daughter was born with the same condition. Thank you for a prompt response. 

Answer:

These types of questions are difficult to answer without examining the patient and knowing the specific diagnosis.

But if the absence of an iris is caused by a medical disease like albinism, some possible treatments are:

(1) correct the patient's refractive error with darkly-tinted glasses to minimize the light sensitivity, or 

(2) correct the patient's refractive error with special contact lenses that have a painted artificial pupil.

If the patient is totally blind, then referral to a blind rehabilitation center is appropriate. In Ohio, these centers are located in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland; and all optometrists and ophthalmologists in Ohio know how to refer patients to them.

For more information:

• Read articles on this topic
• Browse the previously asked questions

Response by:

Robert D Newcomb, OD, MPH, FAAO Professor Emeritus of Clinical Optometry College of Optometry The Ohio State University