Mousa et al. (1986) described a Bedouin family with an unusual form of spinocerebellar degeneration. Spastic ataxia was found to be associated with congenital cataracts, macular corneal dystrophy and non-axial myopia, in the absence of retardation of somatic or mental maturation. Immunological abnormalities were common. Genetic analysis revealed that the pedigree is expressing the transmission and segregation of a single mutant autosomal recessive gene.

Farag et al. (1993) screened 400 institutionalized mentally retarded (IQ less than 50) patients in Kuwait during a four years period from January 1986 to January 1990. Two of the patients were found to be suffering from Spinocerebellar Degeneration with Macular Corneal Dystrophy, Congenital Cataracts, and Myopia Syndrome.