[Myelinated retinal nerve fibers. Review of the literature]

We describe the clinical findings and diagnostic particularities of myelinated retinal nerve fibers observed in a personal case and review the literature. An 8-year-old child was referred for bilateral papillary abnormalities. The diagnosis was myelinated retinal nerve fibers as white striated patches with feathery edges. Myelinated retinal nerve fibers are a developmental anomaly which may be continuous or discontinuous with the optic nerve head. They are reported to occur in 0.57% to 0.98% of ophthalmic patients. The pathogenesis has not been established. Myelinated retinal nerve fibers are clinically conspicuous. Although they are generally believed to be benign lesions, they occasionally are associated with ocular complications such as myopia.