Coexistence of diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, and sensorineural deafness: case report

The association of diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, and sensorineural deafness is a rare but distinct syndrome. We describe an 18-year-old woman who developed diabetes mellitus at three years of age, sensorineural deafness at 14 years of age, and bilateral asymptomatic optic atrophy at 18 years of age. Diabetic retinopathy was notably absent. Forty-two patients with diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy have been described. All had type I diabetes mellitus without typical diabetic retinopathy even though insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was present for many years. Other neurologic abnormalities, including diabetes insipidus, epilepsy, and nystagmus, have been described in association with diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy. A distinct, heredofamilial genetic mechanism, unrelated to diabetes mellitus per se, is postulated.