[Optic neuropathy induced by thinner sniffing]

A case of optic neuropathy induced by thinner sniffing is reported. A 17-year-old girl, who had been sniffing a lacquer thinner for three months, suffered acute blindness followed by optic atrophy. Brain computed tomography revealed symmetrical low attenuation areas in the bilateral putamen. An analysis of the thinner by gas chromatography showed that its major components in a vaporized state were methyl alcohol and metyhl acetate. The optic neuropathy was induced by these solvents. In the diagnosis of the intoxication of mixed organic solvents, the measurement of each solvent in its vapor phase is considered to be quite important.