LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF TRANSIENT LONE BILATERAL BLINDNESS IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG-ADULTS

We describe a group of 14 patients aged 8-38 years at presentation who had one or more sudden transient attacks of bilateral blindness. Eigh t patients described bilateral blindness as their only symptom whereas six others experienced some mild associated symptoms. Visual loss alw ays developed within seconds and attacks were often precipitated by ex ercise, stress, or postural change. Of 13 patients available for revie w, none suffered a major vascular event during a mean follow up of 10 years. When adolescents and young adults present with transient bilate ral blindness, investigations are unlikely to reveal a cause and the l ong term prognosis appears benign.