Frequent coexistence of ocular malformations in externally malformed human fetuses.

60 undamaged human fetuses with some types of external malformations were taken from the human embryo and fetus collection at the Department of Anatomy, Kyoto University. They were examined macroscopically and stereo-microscopically for ocular and other external and internal malformations. 18 cases, that is 30% of the group, showed ocular malformations of the following type: approximated eyes (2 cases), approximated eyes + microcornea (1), microphthalmia (8), microcornea (3), corneal opacity (1), transparent sclera (2), antimongoloid obliquity of the palpebral fissure (1). In addition, asymmetric insertion site of the recti muscle(s) which can be regarded as a minor deviation, was found in 10 cases (16.7%). Other types of malformations were found simultaneously in a variety of organ systems and regions. No particular maternal factors were suggested to be related to such coexisting ocular malformations.