Transsynaptic neuronal degeneration of optic nerves associated with bilateral occipital lesions
Sachdev, M.S.; Kumar, H.; Jain, A.K.; Goulatia, R.K.; Misra, N.K.
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology 38(4): 151-152
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-4738 PMID: 2086461 Document Number: 351916
A case is reported of a 9-year old male who presented with abnormal behaviour and progressive diminution of vision. Pupils were middilated in both eyes but the pupillary reflexes were preserved. Fundus examination revealed a bilateral optic atrophy and radiological investigations showed a bilateral occipital calcification. We hereby document a case of retrograde transsynaptic neuronal degeneration of the visual system secondary to bilateral occipital lesions. Transsynapptic neuronal degeneration of optic nerves consequent to occipital lobe lesions is a rare phenomenon. Experimentally occipital lobe ablation in non-human primates has been shown to result in optic atrophy. Herein, we document a case of retrograde transsynaptic neuronal degeneration of the visual system secondary to bilateral occipital lesions.