title: Electron microscopic examination of the anterior lens capsule in a case of Alport's syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of Alport's syndrome and to present electronmicroscopic examination findings of the anterior lens capsule of this patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 21-year-old man was referred for low visual acuity and retinal pigment epithelial changes in the left eye. The patient and his relatives underwent detailed ophthalmological examination, including electrophysiological testing. The patient also underwent electronmicroscopic examination of the anterior lens capsule.
  
  
  RESULTS
  His visual acuity was 6/18 OD and 6/15 OS. Anterior lenticonus and subcapsular opacities were observed in the left eye. Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed for his poor visual performance. During the capsulorhexis, the remarkably thin and fragile anterior capsule was noted and removed. Ultrastructural analysis of the anterior lens capsule showed a thinner central zone compared with the periphery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The course of Alport's syndrome can be ameliorated by early diagnosis. Therefore, the ophthalmological examination of a patient with anterior lenticonus must be combined with a detailed medical evaluation. Ultrastructural analysis of the lens capsule can support the diagnosis of Alport's syndrome.
authors: SB Ankara Ulucanlar Eye Hospital, Turkey. mcitirik@hotmail.com
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Citirik
authors: Cosar
authors: C
authors: Batman
authors: Gamze
authors: G
authors: Men
authors: Murvet
authors: M
authors: Tuncel
authors: Orhan
authors: O
authors: Zilelioglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D009394:Nephritis, Hereditary / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods; D014792:Visual Acuity