Variants of BEST1 and CRYBB2 cause a complex ocular phenotype comprising microphthalmia, microcornea, cataract, and vitelliform macular dystrophy: case report

BACKGROUND: Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD), caused by pathogenic variants of the BEST1 gene, has not been reported in association with cataracts and ocular malformations. We reported a case with a complex ocular phenotype comprising microphthalmia, microcornea, cataract, and vitelliform macular dystrophy. CASE PRESENTATION: A six-year-old girl manifested photophobia and a poor visual behavior. A thorough ophthalmic examination revealed the patient to have bilateral microphthalmia, microcornea, congenital cataract, and Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD). Whole exome sequencing (WES) identified one variant in the BEST1 and one variant in CRYBB2 genes: c.218 T > G p.(Ile73Arg) and c.479G > C p.(Arg160Pro). The first variant was inherited from the proband’s father, who was diagnosed with subclinical BVMD, while the second was a de novo variant. A minigene assay showed that c.218 T > G in BEST1 did not affect pre-mRNA splicing. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that the complex ocular phenotype comprising BVMD and congenital cataract with microphthalmia cannot be explained by variation in one gene but is caused by variants in BEST1 and CRYBB2. This case highlights the importance of general clinical evaluation and comprehensive genetic testing for diagnosing complex eye diseases. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-023-02915-3.