Optic atrophy in experimental vitamin B12 deficiency in monkeys.

The clinical findings and pathological changes of the visual pathway of vitamin B12 deficient monkeys have been described. The cellular morphology and counts of the peripheral blood and bone marrow remained normal during the study (nine deficient, three controls: one still alive in each group). Visual impairment was noted in all seven of the deficient animals that were evaluated by clinical observations. Ophthalmoscopic examination disclosed optic atrophy in six of the seven deficient monkeys. Degeneration of the visual pathway was demonstrated by pathological examination in eight of the deficient group of nine (one is still alive). Loss of ganglion cells was noted in the maculae of two of three deficient animals with completed studies. In the three control animals there were neither visual disturbances nor ophthalmoscopic changes and in two animals autopsies disclosed no lesions in the visual pathways. The third animal is still alive and well.