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Living with Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous

A rare eye condition, usually in one eye, in which a blood vessel from before birth doesn't go away.

Understanding Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous is a rare eye condition in which a blood vessel structure from before birth fails to shrink away.

It usually affects one eye. It can affect the front of the eye, the back of the eye, or both. Signs include a small eye, a white pupil reflection (leukocoria), cataract, glaucoma, and sometimes a detached retina. It is noticed in newborns and infants.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Small eyeball (microphthalmia)
  • White-looking pupil (leukocoria)
  • Cloudy lens (cataract)
  • Glaucoma (high eye pressure)
  • Cloudy cornea
  • Reduced clarity of vision

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
Which part of the eye is affected, and how does that affect vision?
What treatment or surgery is available?
How often should we check eye pressure and the retina?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant, Autosomal Recessive

Changes in the genes (also called variants) cause this condition. GARD lists both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance and doesn't name a specific gene.

Genetic

Also known as: congenital retinal detachment; congenital retinal septum; ncrna disease; non-syndromic congenital retinal non-attachment; persistent fetal vasculature; persistent fetal vasculature syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreousGARD ID 16803 · 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 Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous.

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