Kayser-Fleischer Ring evaluation in Wilson's Disease in a tertiary eye care centre of Nepal

Abstract

Wilson’s disease is a hereditary disorder of copper metabolism which is characterized by neuropsychiatric and hepatic manifestations as well as appearance of Kayser-Fleischer ring. This is a retrospective review of the records of the patients of Wilson’s disease who attended Neuro-ophthalmic clinic for the identification of Kayser-Fleischer (K-F) ring from January2010 to June 2012. Detailed eye examination included visual acuity assessment, slit lamp biomicroscopy and intra-ocular pressure measurement. Data regarding clinical features, laboratory investigations and the status of K-F ring was recorded. Seven cases of Wilson’s disease with age range of 9-15 years were included in the study. Among them four (57.1%) had neuropsychiatric symptoms, two (28.5%) had hepatic disease and one (14.3%) was asymptomatic, diagnosed by positive family history and laboratory tests. Among four subjects having K-F ring, three (75%) subjects had neuropsychiatric symptoms and one subject had hepato-billiary disease. Besides K-F rings, other ophthalmic findings were sunflower cataract (14.3%) and vernal keratoconjuctivitis (14.3%). The identification of K-F ring is a simple and cost effective screening test for the diagnosis of Wilson’s disease. K-F is present in majority of the patients with neurological manifestations.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11934

Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3): 17-20