A rare inborn error of metabolism that is characterized by progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) pigmentary retinitis and an onset before the age of 20 years. Common additional features include deafness cerebellar ataxia and heart block.
Data from Orphanet are used to provide information on a disease's name, synonym(s), and overview. Reference: Access aggregated data from Orphanet at Orphadata. Orphadata: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Available on http://www.orphadata.org. Data version May 2026
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Kearns-Sayre syndrome?
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Advocacy Organizations
Access to Life NGO
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by genetic epilepsies by empowering patients and families, advancing access to diagnosis and treatment, supporting research, and advocating for equitable, patient-centered care in Ukraine in alignment with global rare disease standards.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association
Our mission … to support the development of new treatments for CMT, to improve the quality of life for people with CMT, and, ultimately, to find a cure. Our vision … a world without CMT. CMTA was started by patients in 1986, and to this day is powered by a community of patients who are engaged in helping carry out and support our mission.
Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation
CCF's mission is to accelerate the search for causes and cures for pediatric cardiomyopathy through increased research, education, awareness, advocacy, and support to affected children and their families.
Cure Mito Foundation
Our mission is to empower families to come together with a common goal of finding treatments, and ultimately a cure, for this devastating disease.
CureARS
Our Mission is to spread awareness, connect and provide support to affected families and fund research for the ultra-rare Mitochondrial Aminoacyl t-RNA Synthetase (mtARS) genes in order to pave the way to suitable treatment options and ultimately a cure.
Genetic Epilepsy Team Australia
Collaboration of research and care
Heart of a Giant Foundation
The mission of the HGF is to achieve better health outcomes for heart diseases and related chronic health conditions in our communities and enhance the quality of life through health education, care support, and connection to community resources.
HeartCharged
Ending preventable deaths from undiagnosed heart conditions and sudden cardiac arrest, especially in young people, and providing patient-to-patient support.
HypoPARAthyroidism Association, Inc
We work to improve the lives of people impacted by hypoPARAthyroidism through education, support, research, and advocacy. We strive to be a reliable, dedicated, accessible, inclusive, empowering resource while being compassionate and professional.
MitoAction
MitoAction’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children, adults, and families living with mitochondrial disease through support, education, outreach, advocacy, clinical research initiatives and by granting wishes for children affected by mitochondrial disease.
MitoCanada
MitoCanada's mission is to create a world where all lives are powered by healthy mitochondria. We are dedicated to supporting Canadians living with mitochondrial disease by developing education and awareness programs, advocating to improve the health and quality of life of those living with mito at provincial and federal levels, and we fund research that is patient-focused and transformational.
Neuromuscular Disease Foundation
The Neuromuscular Disease Foundation's (NDF) mission is to enhance the quality of the lives of people living with GNE Myopathy (also known as HIBM) through advocacy, education, outreach, and funding clinical research focused on treatments and a cure.
Rare Epilepsy Network (REN)
Improving outcomes of people with rare epilepsies through an innovative collaborative infrastructure that drives urgent, patient-centered research, educaiton and advocacy.
RareDNA Foundation
Dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by rare DNA heart mutations by advancing awareness, access and action. We increase awareness among medical professionals and the public, provide education and resources on diagnosis and treatment, support scientific research, and advocate for faster diagnostic pathways, giving families the knowledge and care they need.
The Mito Foundation
Mito Foundation is Australia’s peak body dedicated to supporting and empowering people affected by mitochondrial disease (mito). Our mission is to be the catalyst of energy, hope and cures for every Australian impacted by mito. Mito is a debilitating genetic disorder that robs the body’s cells of energy, causing single or multiple organ dysfunction or failure, and in many instances death.
Uganda Alliance of Patients Organization
Supporting patients to access quality, safe and patient-centered healthcare services.
United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF)
Promoting research and education for the diagnosis, treatment and cure of mitochondrial disorders and to provide support to affected individuals and families. We are driven by a nationwide community of ambassadors solely focused on supporting patients and families affected by mitochondrial disease. We are committed and energized to make a difference by funding the best science in the world.
accessia health
Accessia Health, a national charitable patient assistance organization, is dedicated to eliminating healthcare barriers for people with rare or chronic health conditions. Comprehensive services include personalized case management, financial assistance, education, and legal aid support. Our flexible funding model goes beyond copays, allowing individuals to pay for other essential medical expenses
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Clinical Trials
For a list of clinical trials in this disease area, please click here.