Rare Disease Database

Synonyms

• ICE syndrome

Overview

Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome describes a group of eye diseases that are characterized by three main features:[2259] 

• Visible changes in the iris (the colored part of the eye that regulates the amount of light entering the eye) 
• Swelling of the cornea, and 
• The development of glaucoma (a disease that can cause severe vision loss when normal fluid inside the eye cannot drain properly)

ICE syndrome, is more common in women than men, most commonly diagnosed in middle age, and is usually present in only one eye. The condition is actually a grouping of three closely linked conditions: Cogan-Reese syndrome; Chandler’s syndrome; and essential (progressive) iris atrophy. The cause of ICE syndrome is unknown, however there is a theory that it is triggered by a virus that leads to swelling of the cornea. While there is no way to stop the progression of the condition, treatment of the symptoms may include medication for glaucoma and corneal transplant for corneal swelling.[2259][10119]

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