Is there treatment for Leber hereditary optic Neuropathy?
JUN 18, 2023
Question:
Is there treatment for Leber hereditary optic Neuropathy, which I just tested positive for?
Answer:
Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is an inherited condition (passed down from parents) that typically affects young males.
While treatment is limited, there have been promising developments in the past few years. Some experts recommend taking antioxidant supplements (you should discuss this with your ophthalmologist) and avoiding practices that could cause further nerve damage, such as smoking and drinking alcohol. A drug called ibedenone was approved several years ago in Europe for LHON and has shown modest benefit, though long term data is lacking. Gene therapy trials have shown more promising results and are ongoing.