| Prevalence | 1 in 30,000–50,000 people[1] |
| Inheritance | Maternal (mitochondrial) inheritance — only females transmit the mutation |
| Age of onset | Typically 15–35 years (range 4–80 years) |
| Sex bias | 80–90% of affected individuals are male[1] |
| Chronic phase | Stabilization 4–6 months after onset |
| Recovery phase | 10–20% of patients experience some spontaneous visual improvement, particularly with the m.14484T>C mutation |
| Primary | Degeneration of retinal ganglion cell layer |
| Secondary | Optic nerve atrophy, particularly in the temporal portion |
| Visual acuity | Often 20/200 or worse |
| Visual field testing | Central or centrocecal scotomas |
| Databases | OMIMOrphanetClinicalTrialsPubMed |