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Living with Ramos-Arroyo syndrome

A very rare genetic syndrome with eye and hearing problems, a bowel nerve condition, short stature, and intellectual disability.

Understanding Ramos-Arroyo syndrome

Ramos-Arroyo syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder that affects the eyes, ears, heart, bowel, and learning.

Features include loss of feeling in the cornea, retinal changes, hearing loss in both ears, distinct facial features, and short stature. A heart vessel that stays open (patent ductus arteriosus), Hirschsprung disease (a bowel condition), and intellectual disability can also occur. GARD lists onset in the newborn or infant period.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Reduced feeling in the cornea
  • Retinal changes and reduced vision
  • Hearing loss in both ears
  • Hirschsprung disease (enlarged colon)
  • Open vessel in the heart (patent ductus arteriosus)
  • Intellectual disability and delayed motor skills

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, ear, nose, and throat specialists, 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
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists); 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
Is genetic testing available to find the cause?
How can the eyes be protected, given reduced corneal feeling?
Which specialists should follow hearing, heart, and bowel health?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says gene changes cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, meaning one changed copy of a gene from a parent is enough. It doesn't name a gene yet.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: corneal anesthesia-deafness-intellectual disability syndrome; corneal anesthesia-hearing loss-intellectual disability syndrome; corneal anesthesia, deafness, intellectual disability syndrome; ramos arroyo syndrome

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Ramos-Arroyo syndromeGARD ID 4636 · 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 Ramos-Arroyo syndrome.

Explore the Ramos-Arroyo syndrome blog

Explore research for Ramos-Arroyo syndrome

Explore actively recruiting Ramos-Arroyo syndrome studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Ramos-Arroyo 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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