Retrobulbar optic neuropathy in sarcoidosis.

Virtually unrecognized as a manifestation of ocular sarcoidosis 15 years ago, optic nerve disease occurs in 5% of patients. Sarcoidosis of the optic nerve has been recognized as papilledema, atrophy, and papillitis, and optic disc infiltration. Although 400 cases of neurologic sarcoidosis have been reported, little mention is made of "retrobulbar neuritis" occurring in sarcoidosis patients. This report documents a black woman whose solitary ocular lesion of sarcoidosis was a retrobulbar neuropathy that responded dramatically to steroid therapy.