Compressive Optic Neuropathy with a Concurrent Mutation of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: A Case Report

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial genetic disease that leads to acute or subacute, painless, bilateral loss of vision, caused by degeneration of retinal ganglion cells that most affects men in their second or third decade of life. We describe a woman with compressive optic neuropathy with a concurrent LHON-associated mitochondrial mutation. Temporal hemifield defect connected to central scotoma and concurrent abduction limitation are diagnostic clues in identifying chiasmal compression with craniopharyngioma. This case emphasizes an awareness of the possible coexistence of compressive and hereditary optic neuropathy.