Myelinated nerve fibers, axial myopia, and refractory amblyopia: an organic disease.

Six patients with the syndrome of myelinated nerve fibers, high axial myopia, and refractory amblyopia were studied with particular emphasis on their sensory status. Ocular examination included keratometry, B-scan ultrasonography, measurement of axial lengths, and fundus photography. Sensory testing included visual fields, photostress testing, and neutral density filter visual acuities. Electrophysiological testing was also performed on some patients. Our findings suggest an organic etiology for the poor vision, although all patients had superimposed functional amblyopia as well. We suggest that myelination about the macula is the most likely cause of this poor vision and that the myelination, in some way, may have stimulated the development of the high myopia.