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Living with Cleft lip-retinopathy syndrome

An extremely rare combination of cleft lip and a retina condition that worsens over time.

Understanding Cleft lip-retinopathy syndrome

Cleft lip-retinopathy syndrome is an extremely rare association of cleft lip and progressive retinopathy (a retina condition that worsens over time).

GARD gives only a short description of this condition.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition, but the summary names:

  • Cleft lip
  • Retina disease that worsens over time

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with FACES: The National Craniofacial Association
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How often should my eyes or my child's eyes be checked?
Which specialists should be on the care team?
Can genetic testing find a cause?

Quick facts

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Also known as: ausems wittebol post hennekam syndrome; ausems-wittebol post-hennekam syndrome; cleft lip retinopathy syndrome; cleft lip-cone rod dystrophy syndrome; cleft lip-progressive retinopathy syndrome

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Cleft lip-retinopathy syndromeGARD ID 435 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Cleft lip-retinopathy syndrome.

Explore the Cleft lip-retinopathy syndrome blog

Explore research for Cleft lip-retinopathy syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Cleft lip-retinopathy syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Cleft lip-retinopathy syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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