In Vivo Assessment of Retinal Phenotypes in Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome.

Purpose: Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is characterized by ocular anomalies including posterior embryotoxon, iridocorneal adhesions, corectopia/iris hypoplasia, and developmental glaucoma. Although anterior segment defects and glaucoma contribute to decreased visual acuity, the role of potential posterior segment abnormalities has not been explored. We used high-resolution retinal imaging to test the hypothesis that individuals with ARS have posterior segment pathology. Methods: Three individuals with FOXC1-ARS and 10 with PITX2-ARS completed slit-lamp and fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, and adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO). Quantitative metrics were compared to previously published values for individuals with normal vision. Results: All individuals demonstrated typical anterior segment phenotypes. Average ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer thickness was lower in PITX2-ARS, consistent with the glaucoma history in this group. A novel phenotype of foveal hypoplasia was noted in 40% of individuals with PITX2-ARS (but none with FOXC1-ARS). Moreover, the depth and volume of the foveal pit were significantly lower in PITX2-ARS compared to normal controls, even excluding individuals with foveal hypoplasia. Analysis of known foveal hypoplasia genes failed to identify an alternative explanation. Foveal cone density was decreased in one individual with foveal hypoplasia and normal in six without foveal hypoplasia. Two individuals (one from each group) demonstrated non-foveal retinal irregularities with regions of photoreceptor anomalies on OCT and AOSLO. Conclusions: These findings implicate PITX2 in the development of the posterior segment, particularly the fovea, in humans. The identified posterior segment phenotypes may contribute to visual acuity deficits in individuals with PITX2-ARS.

Spiritual assessment in genetic counseling.

One hundred and twenty seven full members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors participated in this study exploring current spiritual assessment practices of genetic counselors and reactions to a spiritual assessment tool. While 60% of genetic counselors reported they had performed a spiritual assessment within the past year, fewer than 8.7% of these counselors assessed spirituality in more than half of their sessions. Counselors reporting high perceived relevance of spiritual assessment performed an assessment more frequently than those reporting a low perceived relevance. Barriers to spiritual assessment included lack of time, insufficient skills, and uncertainty regarding the role of spiritual assessment within genetic counseling. Almost two-thirds of counselors expressed that having a spiritual assessment tool would increase their ability to elicit relevant information. These data suggest a need for increased training regarding the methods for and relevance of spiritual assessment in genetic counseling. Recommendations for future directions of research are explored.