Overview
Balint syndrome (also called Bálint's syndrome) is a rare neurological condition that affects how the brain processes visual information. It is not a problem with the eyes themselves, but rather with the parts of the brain — specifically the parietal and occipital lobes on both sides — that help you understand and use what you see. The syndrome was first described by the Hungarian neurologist Rezső Bálint in 1909. Balint syndrome has three main features. First, "simultanagnosia," which means difficulty seeing more than one object at a time — for example, you might see a cup on a table but not notice the table itself. Second, "optic ataxia," which is trouble reaching for objects accurately using vision to guide your hand. Third, "oculomotor apraxia," which means difficulty voluntarily directing your gaze to a specific point, even though your eye muscles work normally. This condition is most commonly caused by strokes affecting both sides of the brain, but it can also result from brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, or infections. Because the underlying causes vary widely, treatment focuses on managing the root cause and providing rehabilitation to help patients adapt to their visual-spatial difficulties. There is no single cure for Balint syndrome, and outcomes depend heavily on what caused it and how much brain tissue was affected.
Key symptoms:
Difficulty seeing more than one object at a timeTrouble reaching for objects accuratelyInability to voluntarily move your eyes to look at somethingGetting lost or disoriented in familiar placesDifficulty reading because you lose your place on the pageBumping into objects or peopleTrouble judging distancesDifficulty recognizing complex scenesProblems with hand-eye coordinationFeeling overwhelmed in visually busy environmentsDifficulty pouring liquids into a cupTrouble dressing yourselfAppearing clumsy or uncoordinated
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventHospices Civils de Lyon — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Balint syndrome.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Balint syndrome.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Balint syndrome.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What caused my Balint syndrome, and can that underlying cause be treated?,What rehabilitation options are available to help me adapt to my visual difficulties?,Will my symptoms improve over time, stay the same, or get worse?,Is it safe for me to live independently, and what home modifications do you recommend?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments being studied for this condition?,Should I see a neuro-ophthalmologist or neuropsychologist for additional evaluation?,What should my family and I do if my symptoms suddenly get worse?
Common questions about Balint syndrome
What is Balint syndrome?
Balint syndrome (also called Bálint's syndrome) is a rare neurological condition that affects how the brain processes visual information. It is not a problem with the eyes themselves, but rather with the parts of the brain — specifically the parietal and occipital lobes on both sides — that help you understand and use what you see. The syndrome was first described by the Hungarian neurologist Rezső Bálint in 1909. Balint syndrome has three main features. First, "simultanagnosia," which means difficulty seeing more than one object at a time — for example, you might see a cup on a table but not
How is Balint syndrome inherited?
Balint syndrome follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Balint syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Balint syndrome is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Balint syndrome?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Balint syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.