Any autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the POLG gene. The disease is progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal recessive 1 (Monarch Disease Ontology term MONDO_0009783). Also known as: POLG autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia, autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia caused by mutation in POLG, progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal recessive type 1.