[Leber's idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis. Apropos of 9 cases]

Leber's optic neuroretinitis is a particular form of optic neuropathy characterized by swelling of the optic disc and a stellate pattern of exsudative deposits in the macula. It occurs most often in healthy young subjects who have acute monolateral visual loss, often preceded by presumed viral illness. The etiology is unknown and viral infection has been suggested in the pathogenesis of this condition. The prognosis for visual recovery is reported to be excellent, but late visual sequelae have been described: loss of vision or visual field loss. This entity should be recognized and distinguished from more serious diseases causing septic neuroretinitis or papillitis.