Waardenburg Syndrome - Eponyms and Classification

Eponyms and Classification

Waardenburg syndrome is named after Dutch ophthalmologist Petrus Johannes Waardenburg (1886–1979), who described the syndrome in detail in 1951. The condition he described is now categorized as WS1. Swiss ophthalmologist David Klein also made contributions towards the understanding of the syndrome.

WS2 was identified in 1971, to describe cases where "dystopia canthorum" did not present. WS2 is now split into subtypes, based upon the gene responsible.

Other types have been identified, but they are less common.