Congenital Crystalline Ectopia

Crystalline ectopia is a congenital displacement of the crystalline lens due to an anomaly of the zonule, which may be isolated or part of a general disease. A major cause of visual impairment in children, given the risk of amblyopia

A retrospective study including all children hospitalized for crystalline ectopia 
 Period from 2019 to 2021
All patients underwent general examination and anterior phacophagy

5 cases of children ( 4 girls and 1 boy)  , Average age 6 years , Reason for consultation was visual impairment , Clinical examination found: 
visual acuity ranging from MDD to 2/10 , Nasal cristaline ectopia in 60% of cases, associated with Marfan syndrome (3 cases) and homocystinuria (2 cases). All patients underwent anterior phacophagia, with correction of aphakia by spectacles and follow-up strabismus treatment for amblyopia. 
Final visual acuity was: less than 1/10( 1case), between 2 and 4/10( 2 cases) and greater than 5/10( 2 cases).

Crystalline ectopia can cause a significant reduction in VA, depending on the type and degree of ectopia, and whether it is associated with other ocular or general lesions that may be life-threatening. All our patients had bilateral involvement. 
Cristaline ectopia is a relatively easy-to-diagnose condition, but one that presents a real challenge to ophthalmic surgeons.  All our patients have been treated with anterior phakophagy. Implants with iris fixation or scleral fixation: A good alternative, Exposure to postoperative complications: chronic inflammation, glaucoma or retinal detachment .This, combined with the limited data available in the literature, limits their current use. Contact lenses are a very good treatment option for aphakia.

Crystalline ectopia is a progressive disease that can occur in isolation or as part of a general, life-threatening condition. Early surgery with a cure for amblyopia can significantly improve the visual prognosis of these children.