Myelinated retinal nerve fibers. Review of the literature

We describe the clinical findings and diagnostic particularities of myelina ted retinal nerve fibers observed in a personal case and review the literat ure. An 8-year-old child was referred for bilateral papillary abnormalities. The diagnosis was myelinated retinal nerve fibers as white striated patches wi th leathery edges. Myelinated retinal nerve fibers are a developmental anomaly which may be co ntinuous or discontinuous with the optic nerve head. They are reported to o ccur in 0.57% to 0.98% of ophthalmic patients. The pathogenesis has not bee n established. Myelinated retinal nerve fibers are clinically conspicuous. Although they are generally believed to be benign lesions, they occasionall y are associated with ocular complications such as myopia.