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Alacrima, the lack of tears, is a rare clinical finding that has been reported as a feature of multiple genetic disorders and can serve as a diagnostic clue to some rare conditions. Causes of alacrima range from absence/hyposecretion of tears to agenesis or improper development of lacrimal gland ducts and associated structures. There are 13 known heritable disorders featuring varying degrees and causes of alacrima. Some manifest only the congenital absence of tears, while others affect multiple organ systems and may involve severe developmental delay, intellectual disability, and potentially life-threatening autonomic dysregulation. To aid in the diagnosis for patients manifesting alacrima, we review the major causes and the various genetic disorders associated with alacrima and provide a differential template for diagnosis., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Triple A syndrome (AAAS, OMIM#231550) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by adrenal insufficiency, achalasia, alacrima, neurodegeneration and autonomic dysfunction. Mutations in the AAAS gene on chromosome 12q13 have been reported in several subjects with AAAS. Over the last 5 years, we have evaluated six subjects with the clinical diagnosis of AAAS. Three subjects had mutations in the AAAS gene-- including one novel mutation (IVS8+1 G>A)-- and a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. However, three subjects with classic AAAS did not have mutations in the AAAS gene on both alleles. This finding supports the notion of genetic heterogeneity for this disorder, although other genetic mechanisms cannot be excluded.