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Nutritional optic neuropathy is a cause of bilateral, symmetrical, and progressive visual impairment with loss of central visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, dyschromatopsia, and a central or centrocecal scotoma. The clinical features are not pathognomonic, since hereditary and toxic forms share similar signs and symptoms. It is becoming increasingly common due to the widespread of bariatric surgery and strict vegetarian or vegan diets, so even the scientific interest has recently increased. In particular, recent studies have focused on possible pathogenetic mechanisms, and on novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in order to prevent the onset, make a prompt diagnosis and an accurate nutritional supplementation, and to avoid irreversible optic nerve atrophy. Nowadays, there is clear evidence of the role of cobalamin, folic acid, thiamine, and copper, whereas further studies are needed to define the role of niacin, riboflavin, and pyridoxine. This review aims to summarize the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of nutritional optic neuropathy, and it is addressed not only to ophthalmologists, but to all physicians who could come in contact with a patient with a possible nutritional optic neuropathy, being a fundamental multidisciplinary approach.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between weight reduction and visual outcome in overweight patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. METHODS: Thirty-nine newly diagnosed, overweight (body mass index >25 kg/m2) patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension were studied retrospectively. All patients underwent medical treatment with acetazolamide, and a weight reduction program was also offered. Patients were grouped according to their compliance with this weight reduction program into the diet-success (Group 1) and diet-failure groups (Group 2). Body mass index, papilledema, visual acuity, and perimetric mean deviation were compared at the end of the 6-month study period. RESULTS: Groups 1 and 2 did not differ regarding the baseline mean body mass index (32.63 ± 5.61, 32.35 ± 5.06 kg/m2), visual acuity (0.080 ± 0.13, 0.130 ± 0.24 logMAR), perimetric mean deviation (-9.978 ± 0.68, -12.86 ± 8.91), or papilledema grade (2.94 ± 0.22, 2.90 ± 0.30), respectively (p>0.05). During the 6 months' follow-up, Group 1 patients, who complied with both medical and diet therapy, improved significantly in all parameters, including body mass index (p<0.001), visual acuity (p=0.001), perimetric mean deviation (p=0.016), and papilledema grade (p<0.001). Conversely, Group 2 patients, who only underwent medical therapy, improved only in papilledema grade (p<0.001). However, coincident development of optic disc pallor was observed in three patients. Further, they also had significant loss in visual acuity (p=0.047) during the study period. CONCLUSION: Weight reduction combined with medical treatment is associated with significantly better improvement in visual acuity, visual field, and papilledema in idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients. Compliance with an efficient diet program should be encouraged in overweight patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

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ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between weight reduction and visual outcome in overweight patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Methods: Thirty-nine newly diagnosed, overweight (body mass index >25 kg/m2) patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension were studied retrospectively. All patients underwent medical treatment with acetazolamide, and a weight reduction program was also offered. Patients were grouped according to their compliance with this weight reduction program into the diet-success (Group 1) and diet-failure groups (Group 2). Body mass index, papilledema, visual acuity, and perimetric mean deviation were compared at the end of the 6-month study period. Results: Groups 1 and 2 did not differ regarding the baseline mean body mass index (32.63 ± 5.61, 32.35 ± 5.06 kg/m2), visual acuity (0.080 ± 0.13, 0.130 ± 0.24 logMAR), perimetric mean deviation (-9.978 ± 0.68, -12.86 ± 8.91), or papilledema grade (2.94 ± 0.22, 2.90 ± 0.30), respectively (p>0.05). During the 6 months' follow-up, Group 1 patients, who complied with both medical and diet therapy, improved significantly in all parameters, including body mass index (p<0.001), visual acuity (p=0.001), perimetric mean deviation (p=0.016), and papilledema grade (p<0.001). Conversely, Group 2 patients, who only underwent medical therapy, improved only in papilledema grade (p<0.001). However, coincident development of optic disc pallor was observed in three patients. Further, they also had significant loss in visual acuity (p=0.047) during the study period. Conclusion: Weight reduction combined with medical treatment is associated with significantly better improvement in visual acuity, visual field, and papilledema in idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients. Compliance with an efficient diet program should be encouraged in overweight patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a correlação entre a redução de peso e o resultado visual em pacientes com hipertensão intracraniana idiopática e sobrepeso. Métodos: Trinta e nove pacientes, recém-diagnosticados com hipertensão intracraniana idiopática e sobrepeso (índice de massa corporal >25 kg/m2), foram estudados retrospectivamente. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a tratamento médico com acetazolamida e receberam um programa para redução de peso. Os pacientes foram classificados de acordo com o cumprimento do programa de redução de peso em: sucesso da dieta (Grupo 1) e falha da dieta (Grupo 2). Os índices de massa corporal, a papiledema, a acuidade visual e desvios médios perimétricos foram comparados no final de 6 meses. Resultados: Os grupos não apresentaram diferenças em relação às médias da linha de base de índice de massa corporal (32,63 ± 5,61/32,35 ± 5,06 kg/m2), acuidade visual (0,080 ± 0,13/0,130 ± 0,24 logMAR), desvios médios perimétricos (-9,978 ± 0,68/-12,86 ± 8,91) e níveis de papiledema (2,94 ± 0,22/2,90 ± 0,30) (p>0,05). Durante o período de acompanhamento de 6 meses, os pacientes do grupo 1, que obedeceram as terapias médicas e dietéticas, melhoraram significativamente em todos os parâmetros, incluindo o índice de massa corporal (p<0,001), a acuidade visual (p=0,001), o desvio médio perimétrico (p=0,016) e o nível de papiledema (p<0,001). Por outro lado, os pacientes do grupo 2, que receberam apenas terapia médica, apresentaram melhoras somente no nível de papiledema (p<0,001). No entanto, observou-se o desenvolvimento coincidente de palidez de disco óptico em três pacientes. Além disso, esses pacientes também apresentaram perda significativa de acuidade visual (p=0,047) durante o período de estudo. Conclusão: A redução de peso combinada ao tratamento médico está associada à melhora significativa das acuidades visuais, dos campos visuais e de papiledema em pacientes com hipertensão intracraniana idiopática. O cumprimento de programas de dietas eficientes deve ser encorajado em pacientes obesos com hipertensão intracraniana idiopática.

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Introduction: The influence of antioxidants on ocular processes has taken on a significant importance in recent years for its effects on visual health. Oxidative stress is a factor involved in the development of major pathologies such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Objective: To establish the scientific evidence that exists about the different types of antioxidants and their effects on ocular pathological processes through a systematic review. Methods: Literature search in MEDLINE, Scielo and Cochrane for studies evaluating the use of antioxidants in the prevention and/or treatment of eye diseases. Selected randomized controlled clinical trials over the past 7 years were selected. Results: The relationship between different types of antioxidants, vitamin E, C, beta carotene, zinc, lutein, anthocyanins and carotenoids, suggests a positive relationship with the risk and progression of AMD and glaucoma parameters, indicating a lower risk of the disease due to an increased consumption of antioxidants in the diet. Initial reports suggest a potential role for diet modification in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma primarily, not evidencing for the prevention of cataract. Conclusions: Promoting adequate consumption of antioxidants in the diet can prevent and protect against highly prevalent eye diseases. The antioxidants of the group of vitamins are the most studied so far in the ocular pathologies. More clinical trials are needed to establish these relationships more precisely.

Introducción: la influencia de los antioxidantes en los procesos oculares ha tomado en los últimos años una relevancia importante por sus efectos en la salud visual. El estrés oxidativo es un factor implicado en el desarrollo de las principales patologías tales como cataratas, glaucoma y degeneración macular asociada a la edad (DMAE). Objetivo: establecer la evidencia científica que existe sobre los distintos tipos de antioxidantes y sus efectos en procesos patológicos oculares mediante una revisión sistemática. Métodos: búsqueda bibliográfica en MEDLINE, Scielo y Cochrane de estudios que evalúan la utilización de antioxidantes en la prevención y/o tratamiento de las enfermedades oculares. Se seleccionaron ensayos clínicos controlados y aleatorizados publicados en los últimos 7 años. Resultados: la relación entre distintos tipos de antioxidantes, vitamina E, C, betacaroteno, zinc, luteína, antocianinas y carotenoides, sugiere una relación positiva ante el riesgo y progresión de DMAE y parámetros del glaucoma, indicando un menor riesgo de la enfermedad ante un mayor consumo de antioxidantes en la dieta. Informes iniciales sugieren un papel potencial para la modificación de la dieta en el tratamiento de la degeneración macular asociada a la edad y glaucoma principalmente, no evidenciándose para la prevención de la catarata. Conclusiones: promover el consumo adecuado de antioxidantes en la dieta puede prevenir y proteger frente a patologías oculares de gran prevalencia. Los antioxidantes del grupo de vitaminas son los más estudiados hasta el momento en las patologías oculares. Es necesario llevar a cabo más ensayos clínicos para establecer de forma más precisa estas relaciones.

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PURPOSE: To assess whether adherence to dietary guidelines at baseline is associated with the incidence of visual impairment among older persons after 10 years. DESIGN: A population-based cohort of 3654 participants of the Blue Mountains Eye Study were examined at baseline and were reexamined after 5 and 10 years. METHODS: The incidence of visual impairment was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (VA)<20/40 at follow-up in 1 or both eyes. Dietary information was obtained at baseline using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Total Diet Score (TDS) was calculated based on the Australian diet quality index. TDS includes components of diet quality; poor dietary habits; and energy balance. Discrete logistic regression models with time-dependant outcome variables were used to calculate hazard risk ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with incidence of visual impairment for each unit/quartile increase in TDS, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the 3654 baseline participants, 1963 had up to 10 years follow-up with completed FFQs. With each unit increase in TDS, the risk of visual impairment decreased (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88-1.00). The risk of developing visual impairment was lower among persons in the highest compared to the lowest TDS quartile (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.47-1.05). This association was significant among persons aged 65+ years (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.38-0.98) but not those aged <65 years (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.46-1.97). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance to dietary guidelines was associated with a decreased long-term risk of visual impairment in this sample of Australians aged 65+ years.

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Preterm children are at risk for a number of visual impairments which can be important for a range of other more complex visuocognitive tasks reliant on visual information. Despite the relatively high incidence of visual impairments in this group there are no good predictors that would allow early identification of those at risk for adverse outcomes. Several lines of evidence suggest that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation for preterm infants may improve outcomes in this area. For example, diets deficient in the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid DHA have been shown to reduce its concentration in the cerebral cortex and retina, which interferes with physiological processes important for cognition and visual functioning. Further, various studies with pregnant and lactating women, as well as formula-fed infants, have demonstrated a general trend that supplementation with dietary DHA is associated with better childhood outcomes on tests of visual and cognitive development over the first year of life. However, research to date has several methodological limitations, including concentrations of DHA supplementation that have been too low to emulate the in utero accretion of DHA, using single measures of visual acuity to make generalised assumptions about the entire visual system, and little attempt to match what we know about inadequate DHA and structural ramifications with how specific functions may be affected. The objective of this review is to consider the role of DHA in the context of visual processing with a specific emphasis on preterm infants and to illustrate how future research may benefit from marrying what we know about structural consequences to inadequate DHA with functional outcomes that likely have far-reaching ramifications. Factors worth considering for clinical neuropsychological evaluation are also discussed.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a diet high in long chain ω-3 fatty acids can slow the rate of visual acuity loss among patients with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A palmitate. METHODS: We calculated dietary intake from questionnaires completed annually by 357 adult patients from 3 randomized trials who were all receiving vitamin A, 15 000 IU/d, for 4 to 6 years. Rates of visual acuity decline were compared between those with high (≥0.20 g/d) vs low (<0.20 g/d) ω-3 intake. Analyses took age into account. RESULTS: Mean rates of decline of acuity were slower among those with high ω-3 intake: Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study distance acuity: high intake=0.59 letter per year, low intake=1.00 letter per year,P=.001; Snellen retinal acuity: high intake=1.5% per year, low intake=2.8% per year, P=.03. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that mean annual rates of decline in distance and retinal visual acuities in adults with retinitis pigmentosa receiving vitamin A, 15 000 IU/d,are slower over 4 to 6 years among those consuming a diet rich in ω-3 fatty acids. To our knowledge, this is the first report that nutritional intake can modify the rate of decline of visual acuity in retinitis pigmentosa.

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Children with autism often have restrictive diets. Here, we report an adolescent with autism who developed dietary vitamin A deficiency because of a restrictive diet. Despite supplementation with vitamin A, some of the visual loss was permanent with optic atrophy. Children with autism who have restrictive diets may need periodic serum vitamin levels assessed.

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OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of long-term reduction of plasma ornithine levels through adherence to an arginine-restricted diet on visual function in patients of all ages with gyrate atrophy of the retina and choroid. METHODS: A long-term observational study was conducted on 27 patients with gyrate atrophy, 17 of whom elected to comply with the arginine-restricted diet and 10 who were unable to comply. The mean rates of change in the electroretinogram combined response, electroretinogram flicker response, and kinetic and static perimetry were determined. RESULTS: After mean follow-up of 13.9 years for the patients on the diet and 14.1 years for those not on the diet, the mean rates of change for the diet group compared with those of the no-diet group were statistically significantly slower for all outcome measures (age-adjusted P<.05) except for static perimetry (P =.06). CONCLUSIONS: Adhering to an arginine-restricted diet so as to lower the plasma ornithine level below an average of 5.29 to 6.61 mg/dL (400-500 micromol/L) will slow the loss of function as measured by sequential electroretinography and visual field examinations.

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Visual function has been serially assessed in two gyrate atrophy patients who have had long-term reduction of plasma ornithine concentrations by a low-arginine diet. One patient demonstrated subjective and objective improvement after 15 months of treatment. In addition to improvements in dark adaptation thresholds, enlargement of visual fields, and a more normal electroretinogram, there was marked improvement in cone function as measured by color vision. There has been no change noted in the second patient. These results suggest that reduction of plasma ornithine may be beneficial in gyrate atrophy patients and that the high ornithine concentrations characteristic of this disorder play some role in the pathophysiology.

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Five patients, ages 12 to 30, with gyrate atrophy have shown substantial (60% or greater) decreases in plasma ornithine concentrations within four to eight weeks when placed on a therapeutic trial of low-protein (10-15 g/day), low-arginine diets supplemented with essential amino acids (EAA) and pyridoxine hydrochloride. Four of five patients have continued on modified protein restriction (20-35 g/day) and one on pyridoxine (300 mg/day) alone with maintenance of plasma ornithine in the range of 30 to 60% below pretherapeutic trial levels. After one year, four of five patients have shown no significant improvement in visual acuity, fields, final dark-adapted thresholds, electroretinograms, or fundus appearance. One patient with the poorest control of plasma ornithine has developed a decrease in ERG amplitudes and a new area of chorioretinal atrophy. These patients continue in this trial to determine whether or not any reductions in hyperornithinemia will modify the course of the ocular disease.

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