Ocular findings in childhood lactic acidosis

We examined ophthalmologically nine children with lactic acidosis. All showed abnormal ocular findings. Optic atrophy was present in six patients, nystagmus in three, blepharoptosis in one, cataract in one, and limitation on abduction in one. We believe that optic atrophy is the most frequent ocular finding and that nystagmus and ophthalmoplegia are common associations in patients with childhood lactic acidosis.