Bilateral consecutive optic neuropathy in a patient with thrombophilia

A 39-year-old man was admitted with a sudden visual loss in the left eye. Visual acuities were 10/10 on the right and 1/10 on the left. Fundus examination did not show any abnormalities. Visual acuity improved to 10/10 and visual field defect regressed in the following 2 weeks. Three years later, the patient returned with acute visual loss in the right eye. Visual acuities were 2/10 on the right and 10/10 on the left. Right optic disc had blurred margins with mild oedema. The tests revealed methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C mutation with positive lupus anticoagulant and hyperhomocysteinaemia. Enoxaparin was initialised with vitamin B 12 supplementation. Complete visual recovery occurred in the following 3 weeks in both eyes. Thrombophilic screening seems to be important in the treatment and prevention of an attack in the second eye of patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy.