Visual acuity and optic nerve size assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in optic nerve hypoplasia

We investigated the relationship between optic nerve (ON) size and visual acuity in children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH). The medical records of patients <19 years with ONH who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and visual acuity assessment were reviewed. ON diameter at orbital and cisternal segments was assessed independently by two neuroradiologists and compared with visual acuity. ON diameter <1.7 mm represented a cutoff, below which was significantly associated with visual acuity of 20/200 or worse (P = 0.04) and above which was significantly associated with visual acuity of 20/40 or better (P = 0.004). ON diameter measured with MRI may provide an early prognostic indication of visual potential for children with ONH.