The Alport's syndrome triad is a combination of hearing loss, eye abnormalities and kidney disease which are caused by genetic mutations which affect the type IV collagen proteins, that are crucial components of basement membranes in the eyes, inner ears and kidneys.
Alport syndrome can cause a variety of different eye problems and eye abnormalities but rarely causes blindness.
The most common problems with the eye that are caused by Alport syndrome are anterior lenticonus which is a cone shaped lens, cataracts and retinal thinning.
These conditions can affect your vision, but they often don't cause any significant or permanent vision loss, especially if you receive treatment.
The eye signs of Alport are retinal abnormalities, lens abnormalities, corneal problems and some people may experience dot and fleck retinopathy, corneal erosion's, and anterior lenticonus.
Even Macular holes and thinning can also occur and affect your central vision.
The cause of Alport syndrome are genetic mutations that affect the type IV collagen protein, which is crucial as a component of the basement membranes in the kidneys, eyes and ears.
The mutations affecting the type IV collagen disrupt the normal structure and the function of the tissues, which lead to the symptoms of Alport syndrome like kidney disease, vision problems and hearing loss.
The first signs of Alport syndrome are hematuria also known as blood in your urine.
The blood in the urine with Alport syndrome is often microscopic which means that the blood can only be detected using a microscope or a urine dipstick test.
Other early signs of Alport syndrome are high blood pressure, protein in your urine and even hearing loss, most particularly in males.
Although not always present at the very beginning of Alport syndrome, the Alport syndrome can lead to eye abnormalities such as anterior lenticonus which is an abnormally shaped lens or even retinal changes which can also be an early sign of Alport Syndrome.
Alport syndrome is a genetic disorder which mainly affects your kidneys and causes your kidneys to lose their ability to filter out waste properly and leads to protein and blood in the urine.
Alport syndrome can also cause hearing loss and eye problems and is caused by mutations in the genes which produce type IV collagen which is a key component of glomerular basement membrane in the kidneys.
Alport syndrome affects around 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 children and can also affect adults.
Alport syndrome often manifests in childhood or early adulthood and most particularly in males that have X linked Alport syndrome.
Alport syndrome is a rare kidney disease and genetic disorder which affects your kidneys as well as your eyes and your ears.
While there's no cure for Alport syndrome, there are treatments available that can help to manage the symptoms.