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Living with Congenital retinal arteriovenous communication

A rare eye vessel condition in which arteries and veins in the retina connect directly, usually in one eye.

Understanding Congenital retinal arteriovenous communication

Congenital retinal arteriovenous communication is a rare condition in which arteries and veins in the retina connect directly through enlarged vessels.

It usually affects one eye. Some people have no symptoms, while others lose some vision. Complications can include blocked vessels or bleeding in the retina or the jelly inside the eye (vitreous). It can occur alone or as part of Wyburn-Mason syndrome, which also involves blood vessel malformations in the brain.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. Its summary mentions these:

  • No symptoms in some people
  • Vision loss that varies
  • Blocked blood vessels in the eye
  • Bleeding in the retina or vitreous

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 brain and nervous system specialists and eye disease specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

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

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists)
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 rare disease patient organizations for support
  • 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
Is this on its own or part of Wyburn-Mason syndrome?
Should we have brain imaging to look for related vessel problems?
How often should the eye be checked for bleeding or vision changes?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant

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

Neurological

Also known as: congenital arteriovenous anastomoses of the retina; congenital arteriovenous communication of the retina; congenital arteriovenous malformation of retina; congenital racemose hemangioma of retina; congenital retinal arteriovenous anastomoses; retinal arteriovenous anomaly

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Congenital retinal arteriovenous communicationGARD ID 21530 · 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 Congenital retinal arteriovenous communication.

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