Peters' anomaly as a consequence of genetic and nongenetic syndromes.

A new syndrome includes Peters' anomaly and short-limbed dwarfism. A balanced chromosomal translocation in the brother (patient 1) appears to be coincidental to the physical abnormalities, because his sister (patient 2) has identical findings but normal fibroblast and lymphocyte karyotypes. Peters' anomaly, which includes corneal clouding, iris and/or lens adhesions to the cornea, and the absence of endothelium and Descemet's membrane, is often associated with systemic abnormalities. Since there are different genetic and nongenetic systemic conditions that include Peters' anomaly, and there are several ocular syndromes with features overlapping this disorder, we believe that Peters' anomaly is a morphologic finding rather than a distinct entity.