Folate-Responsive Optic Neuropathy

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Title Folate-Responsive Optic Neuropathy
Creator Karl C. Golnik, MD; Eric R. Schaible, MD
Affiliation Department of Ophthalmology, Storm Eye Institute Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425
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.
Subject Oral Administration; Adult; Alcohol Drinking/Adverse Effects; Amblyopia/Etiology; Female; Folic Acid/Administration & Dosage; Folic Acid/Therapeutic Use; Folic Acid Deficiency/Complications; Humans; Male; Middle Older people; Optic Nerve Diseases/Drug Therapy; Optic Nerve Diseases/Etiology; Perimetry; Smoking/Adverse Effects; Visual Acuity; Visual Fields
Date 1996-09
Language eng
Format application/pdf
Type Text
Publication Type Journal Article
Collection Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library: Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology Archives: https://novel.utah.edu/jno/
Publisher Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Holding Institution Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah
Rights Management © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
ARK ark:/87278/s6nw2qb9
Setname ehsl_novel_jno
ID 224508
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6nw2qb9
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