Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a rare form of cancer that rapidly develops from the immature cells of a retina, the light-detecting tissue of the eye. It is the most common primary malignant intraocular cancer in children, and it is almost exclusively found in young children.
Keratin 12 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KRT12 gene.
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) describes a set of highly related glycoproteins involved in cell adhesion. CEA is normally produced in gastrointestinal tissue during fetal development, but the production stops before birth. Consequently, CEA is usually present at very low levels in the blood of healthy adults. However, the serum levels are raised in some types of cancer, which means that it can be used as a tumor marker in clinical tests. Serum levels can also be elevated in heavy smokers.
Corneal dystrophy is a group of rare hereditary disorders characterised by bilateral abnormal deposition of substances in the transparent front part of the eye called the cornea.
Decorin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DCN gene.
Collagen XVII, previously called BP180, is a transmembrane protein which plays a critical role in maintaining the linkage between the intracellular and the extracellular structural elements involved in epidermal adhesion, identified by Diaz and colleagues in 1990.
Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare form of highly malignant adenocarcinoma that produces mucin. It is an epithelial malignancy characterized by the histologic appearance of signet ring cells.
Transforming growth factor, beta-induced, 68kDa, also known as TGFBI, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the TGFBI gene, locus 5q31.
Serpin B3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SERPINB3 gene.
Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZEB1 gene.
Cone-rod homeobox protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CRX gene.
Carbohydrate sulfotransferase 6 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the CHST6 gene.
11-cis retinol dehydrogenase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the RDH5 gene.
Collagen alpha-2(VIII) chain is a protein that in humans is encoded by the COL8A2 gene. Mutations of the gene are linked to posterior polymorphous dystrophy type 2.
Sodium bicarbonate transporter-like protein 11 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC4A11 gene.
Visual system homeobox 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the VSX1 gene.
Meesmann corneal dystrophy (MECD) is a rare hereditary autosomal dominant disease that is characterized as a type of corneal dystrophy and a keratin disease. MECD is characterized by the formation of microcysts in the outermost layer of the cornea, known as the anterior corneal epithelium. The anterior corneal epithelium also becomes fragile. This usually affects both eyes rather than a single eye and worsens over time. There are two phenotypes, Meesmann corneal dystrophy 1 (MECD1) and Meesmann corneal dystrophy 2 (MECD2), which affect the genes KRT3 and KRT12, respectively. A heterozygous mutation in either of these genes will lead to a single phenotype. Many with Meesmann corneal dystrophy are asymptomatic or experience mild symptoms.
Gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy, also known as amyloid corneal dystrophy, is a rare form of corneal dystrophy. The disease was described by Nakaizumi as early as 1914.
Granular corneal dystrophy is a slowly progressive corneal dystrophy that most often begins in early childhood.
Occult macular dystrophy (OMD) is a rare inherited degradation of the retina, characterized by progressive loss of function in the most sensitive part of the central retina (macula), the location of the highest concentration of light-sensitive cells (photoreceptors) but presenting no visible abnormality. "Occult" refers to the degradation in the fundus being difficult to discern. The disorder is called "dystrophy" instead of "degradation" to distinguish its genetic origin from other causes, such as age. OMD was first reported by Y. Miyake et al. in 1989.
