Delayed Carbon Monoxide Optic Neuropathy

Abstract

C arbon monoxide (CO) is a common cause of poisoning with significant effects on central nervous system. Visual loss, even severe, may thus be the final effect of CO poisoning, and prompt recognition and treatment are paramount to mitigate the toxic effects of CO on the visual system. We report a case of a 17-year-old girl with delayed bilateral optic neuropathy caused by CO poisoning and review the literature of the neuro-ophthalmological effects of this toxic gas. To our knowledge, this is the longest duration of isolated, delayed optic neuropathy after CO exposure to be reported in the English language, ophthalmic literature.