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Living with Triopia

A rare condition present at birth with an extra or very large eye, and differences in the brain and face.

Understanding Triopia

Triopia is a rare condition that affects development in the womb, with an extra eye or one unusually large eye.

Babies can have other differences of the brain and face, and often a poorly formed nose (proboscis). People usually have moderate intellectual disability and may have seizures. It is noticed at birth.

Signs & symptoms

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

  • Extra eye or one unusually large eye
  • Poorly formed nose (proboscis)
  • Cleft lip or palate in the middle of the face
  • Brain bulging through the skull (encephalocele)
  • Larger than usual head (macrocephaly)
  • Seizures and moderate intellectual disability

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
Would genetic counseling help our family?
Which specialists should be on our care team?
Which brain imaging tests are needed?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says changes in genes (variants) cause this condition and that it is autosomal dominant, so one changed copy of a gene can be enough. It doesn't name a specific gene.

Genetic

Also known as: triophthalmia; unilateral diplophthalmia; unilateral diplophthalmos; unilateral ocular duplication

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · TriopiaGARD ID 5286 · 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 Triopia.

Explore the Triopia blog

Explore research for Triopia

Explore actively recruiting Triopia studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Triopia 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

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Triopia studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Triopia

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HealthStoryfor Triopia

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Triopia experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your Triopia journal

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