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Living with Lens coloboma

A rare inherited eye condition in which the lens has a notch, which can lower vision.

Understanding Lens coloboma

Lens coloboma is a rare inherited eye condition in which the lens has an abnormal shape with a notch.

It can affect one or both eyes and typically shows as reduced sharpness of vision. Other eye differences, such as colobomas of the iris, choroid, or optic disc, cataracts, and retinal detachment, may also occur.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. Its summary mentions reduced sharpness of vision.

  • Reduced sharpness of vision (visual acuity)
  • Notched lens shape
  • Clouding of the lens (cataract)
  • Retinal detachment

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 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
Are other parts of my eye affected by coloboma?
How often should my eyes be checked for cataracts or retinal detachment?
Would genetic testing help our family?

Quick facts

It is caused by changes in genes. GARD does not name a specific gene or inheritance pattern.

Genetic

Also known as: coloboma of eye lens; coloboma of lens

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Lens colobomaGARD ID 1433 · 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 Lens coloboma.

Explore the Lens coloboma blog

Explore research for Lens coloboma

Explore actively recruiting Lens coloboma studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Lens coloboma 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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