Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles (CFEOM) encompasses several different inherited strabismus syndromes characterized by congenital restrictive ophthalmoplegia affecting extraocular muscles innervated by the oculomotor and/or trochlear nerves. Classic CFEOM is characterized by bilateral blepharoptosis and ophthalmoplegia with the eyes fixed in an infraducted position about 20 to 30 degrees below the horizontal midline. Involvement of the horizontal extraocular muscles is variable. If all affected members of a family have the classic phenotype with bilateral involvement, the disorder is referred to as 'CFEOM1' (Engle et al., 1997; Heidary et al., 2008). CFEOM2 (602078), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation in the ARIX gene (PHOX2A; 602753) on chromosome 11q13, is characterized by bilateral ptosis with eyes fixed in an exotropic position. The CFEOM3 phenotype shows more variable clinical features: affected individuals may have unilateral eye involvement, may be able raise their eyes above midline, or may not have blepharoptosis. CFEOM3 is diagnosed in a family if even 1 member does not have classic findings of the disorder. CFEOM3 is a genetically heterogeneous disorder; CFEOM3A with or without extraocular involvement (600638) is caused by mutation in the TUBB3 gene (602661) on chromosome 16q24; CFEOM3B is caused by mutation in the KIF21A gene (608283) on chromosome 12q12; and CFEOM3C (609384) maps to chromosome 13q. CFEOM4 (609428), also known as Tukel syndrome, maps to chromosome 21q. CFEOM5 (616219) is caused by mutation in the COL25A1 gene (610004) on chromosome 4q25. See also NOMENCLATURE.

Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles (CFEOM) encompasses several different inherited strabismus syndromes characterized by congenital restrictive ophthalmoplegia affecting extraocular muscles innervated by the oculomotor and/or trochlear nerves. If all affected members of a family have classic CFEOM with bilateral involvement and inability to raise the eyes above midline, the phenotype is classified as CFEOM1 (135700). CFEOM2 (602078) shows autosomal recessive inheritance. CFEOM3 is characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance of a more variable phenotype than classic CFEOM1. Individuals with CFEOM3 may not have bilateral involvement, may be able to raise the eyes above midline, or may not have blepharoptosis (reviews by Yamada et al., 2004 and Heidary et al., 2008). Yamada et al. (2003) concluded that CFEOM3 is a relatively rare form of CFEOM. Genetic Heterogeneity of CFEOM3 The CFEOM3 phenotype is genetically heterogeneous; see also CFEOM3B (135700), caused by mutation in the KIF21A gene on chromosome 12q12, and CFEOM3C (609384), which maps to chromosome 13q.