What Is Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome?

Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL) is a rare genetic disorder that causes an increased risk of certain kinds of tumors. Two eye doctors—von Hippel in Germany and Lindau in Sweden—were the first to publish descriptions of tumors in patients' eyes and brains, hallmarks of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. In the 1960s the disease was named VHL, von Hippel-Lindau, to recognize their contributions in characterizing the disease.