Severe diabetic papillopathy mimicking non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in a young patient

With the pathophysiology not clearly understood and fewer than 130 cases having been reported in the literature, diabetic papillopathy presents a special challenge to the ophthalmologist. We report a case of a young patient with more than 12 years of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on insulin with poor compliance to treatment who presented with sudden bilateral loss of vision. Ocular examination, fluorescence angiography (FA) and systemic signs were conclusive of diabetic papillopathy. His fasting blood sugar level was high and serum glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) indicated a long term fluctuating blood glucose control. His vision initially improved with treatment, but later deteriorated with tight glycemic control.