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Living with Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B syndrome

A rare condition from birth with eye changes, shaky eye movements, severe vision loss and short fingers and toes.

Understanding Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B syndrome

Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B syndrome is a rare condition present from birth that affects the eyes, hands and feet.

People have coloboma of the macula in both eyes, with side-to-side eye shaking (nystagmus) and severe vision loss. The hands and feet have shortened finger and toe bones, small or missing nails, broad or split thumbs and big toes, and some joined or bent digits.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Coloboma at the back of the eye
  • Severe vision loss
  • Short fingers and toes (brachydactyly type B)
  • Small or missing nails
  • Broad thumbs
  • Fingers that stay bent (camptodactyly)

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

    Specialists who may be involved include eye disease specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

Care & treatment

Care team
Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
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 Prevent Blindness America
  • 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
What vision support is available for us?
Should we have genetic testing to confirm the diagnosis?
Do we need an orthopedic or hand specialist?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startduring Pregnancy and as a Newborn
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says changes in genes cause this condition. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Genetic

Also known as: apical dystrophy; coloboma of macula with brachydactyly type b syndrome; sorsby syndrome

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B syndromeGARD ID 1437 · 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 Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B syndrome.

Explore the Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B syndrome blog

Explore research for Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Coloboma of macula-brachydactyly type B 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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