The signs and symptoms of Stickler syndrome — and the severity of those signs and symptoms — can vary widely from person to person.

• Eye problems. In addition to severe nearsightedness, children who have Stickler syndrome often experience cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachments.
• Hearing difficulties. The extent of hearing loss varies among people who have Stickler syndrome. It usually affects the ability to hear high frequencies.
• Bone and joint abnormalities. Children who have Stickler syndrome often have overly flexible joints and are more likely to develop abnormal curvatures of the spine, such as scoliosis. Osteoarthritis can begin in adolescence.

Stickler syndrome is caused by mutations in certain genes involved in the formation of collagen — one of the building blocks of many types of connective tissues. The type of collagen most commonly affected is that used to produce joint cartilage and the vitreous jelly found within the eyes.

Your child is more likely to be born with Stickler syndrome if either you or your partner has the disorder.

Potential complications of Stickler syndrome include:

• Difficulty breathing or feeding. Breathing or feeding difficulties may occur in babies born with an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), a small lower jaw and a tendency for the tongue to drop back toward the throat.
• Blindness. Blindness can occur if retinal detachments aren't repaired promptly.
• Ear infections. Children with facial structure abnormalities associated with Stickler syndrome are more likely to develop ear infections than are children with normal facial features.
• Deafness. Hearing loss may worsen with time and a small percentage of people with Stickler syndrome eventually become completely deaf.
• Heart problems. Some people with Stickler syndrome may be at higher risk of heart valve problems.
• Dental problems. Most children who have Stickler syndrome have abnormally small jaws, so there often isn't enough room for the full complement of adult teeth. Braces or, in some cases, dental surgeries may be necessary.