LHON is an inherited condition that primarily affects the optic nerve. It is characterised by sequential loss of vision (one eye after the other) and usually occurs during teenage years to early adulthood. Males are more at risk being affected by this condition.

LHON is characterised classically by a sequential, painless loss of central vision with a peak onset in the second and third decades of life. Males are more likely to be affected than females. 90% of cases are caused by three variants in the mitochondrial DNA.

Neuroprotective agents are a broad range of therapies that aim to slow or halt cell degeneration by promoting cell survival and preserving their function.