CONCLUSIONS OF SYMPOSIUM

The best national and international specialists on genetics and ophthalmology met in Madrid last October the 25th and 26, to discuss aniridia.

Day 25th was dedicated exclusively to health professionals, and 26th to patients giving them the opportunity to clarifiy their doubts during these debates.

At a genetic level, recent research on Pax 6 gene, responsible for aniridia were presented Rhe functional mechanism of this gene is being studied in mice, although the achievements cannot be applied to human beings.

At a clinical level, doctors explained the therapeutic alternatives for crystalline opacity, corneal degeneration, glaucoma and dry eye.

Specialists on "dry eye" offered to carry out a study of the tear in people suffering from aniridia, since anomalies in the tears may cause ocular surface alterations, and consequently, corneal transparency. It has been detected that the quality of these patients´ tears is deficient.

The Morcher intraocular lenses, suitable for patients with aniridia when cataracts surgery is needed, were shown ,and different possibilities were raised for the treatment of glaucoma on a topical and surgical level, depending on the eye condition and previous interventions.

Concerning corneal opacity, hope was transmitted to patients for the diversity of surgical alternatives that are presently available at this moment and expected to be improved in the near future.

The Simposium was a success in light of the following:

1. The exchange of experiences and information among professionals.
2. Improved Doctor-patient´s relationship.
3. The launch pf project of a book about the Simposium´s conferences.
4. Research projects: the study of the tear and the ocular surface in aniridia´s patients.
5. The positive evaluation about the Symposium as a whole.
6. By the number of persons who attended the event, especially considering that is a rare disease.
7. The project of the creation of a forum in the aniridia website as a meeting point between professionals and patients.