(KK) Ophthalmology Department; (ABG) Clinical Instructor of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Pediatric Ophthalmology; American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), Cairo Street, Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon; (AS) Flora L. Thornton Endowed Chair at Doheny Eye Centers, Vice-Chair of Ophthalmology, University of California Los Angeles
An epidemic of blindness and peripheral neuropathy struck Cuba in the early 90s. By the end of 1993, 7% of the population was affected. Most patients were men and presented with sub-acute, painless, bilateral loss of vision. The etiology of the disease pondered local and international scientists, especially with the rapid increase in its incidence. We present a thorough overview of the differential diagnosis and pathophysiology of the new entity and study the similarities with other known neuro-ophthalmic diseases.
