Joanne R. Pompano
Microphthalmia is a condition that means the eye(s) started to form during pregnancy but for some reason stopped forming, resulting in small eyes. The size of the eye can vary from child to child. (56) Microphthala may affect one or both eyes. Some children with microphthalmia have extreme reduced vision while other children may have some residual vision. (57)
Both birth defects are rare in humans.
(
58) True anophthalmia occurs in approximately 1 in 100,000 births. Microphthalmia occurs in approximately 1 in 10,000 births. Around 2 thirds of these cases are believed to be genetic. The remaining cases may be caused by environmental factors such as drugs, pesticides, radiation, toxins or viral causes. Some viruses linked to these conditions are toxiplasmosis, rubella and certain strains of the flu virus. (59)
