Folate-responsive optic neuropathy

Document Type

Article

Abstract

We examined six patients who presented with bilateral, progressive visual loss. Each patient had a bilateral decrease in visual acuity, poor color vision, and central or cecocentral scotomas. Optic nerve head appearance varied from normal to diffusely pale. All patients consumed tobacco, ethanol, or both. Each patient was folate deficient and had normal vitamin B12 levels. Patients were treated with oral folic acid, 1 mg per day. Visual acuity improved bilaterally in all patients (mean: five lines in 2 months). Folate deficiency should be considered in any patient with progressive bilateral optic neuropathy of unknown etiology. Treatment with folic acid can result in significant improvement in visual function.

Medical Subject Headings

Administration, Oral; Adult; Alcohol Drinking (adverse effects); Amblyopia (etiology); Female; Folic Acid (administration & dosage, therapeutic use); Folic Acid Deficiency (complications); Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Optic Nerve Diseases (drug therapy, etiology); Smoking (adverse effects); Visual Acuity; Visual Field Tests; Visual Fields

Publication Date

9-1-1994

Publication Title

Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society

ISSN

1070-8022

Volume

14

Issue

3

First Page

163

Last Page

9

PubMed ID

7804421

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS