AbstractPurpose To report on the molecular origin of congenital cataract in an Egyptian family.Methods We performed a genome‐wide SNPs array analysis in a consanguineous family of Egyptian origin with two affected and one unaffected children with congenital cataract. Systemic and ophthalmic examinations were performed.Results The two affected patients, a 3 month old boy and a 7 year old girl with cataract and nystagmus were studied. Lensectomy was performed on both patients with IOL implantation in the older patient. A homozygous region of 12Mb on chromosome 3 was identified. This region contained the previously reported FYCO1 gene. Molecular analysis revealed a homozygous c.2206C>T mutation (p.Gln736X) in the affected patients. SNP analysis around the gene indicated that the mutation arose on a different genetic background than that reported by Chen et al. (AJHG 2011).Conclusion Mutations in FYCO1 are also present in the Egyptian population. We have shown that it developed de novo in this family thus indicating that this nucleotide is a hotspot for mutation and does not represent a founder effect.