Additionally, we show that thebest multipoint linkage region from our family dataset is also located on chromosome18 (68.94 cM to 85.29 cM), with a peak multipointHLOD = 2.5 at rs1145315, 1.5 Mb away from rs613872in TCF4. The consistent findings in both our linkage andassociation studies for an association of rs613872 with FECD together with thefindings of Baratz et al. suggest that the association is probablynot spurious but, rather, is due to certain recombination events in this region thatmay increase susceptibility to FECD. This evidence concerns the gene TCF4 and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.