Lebers hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a maternally inherited disease 
characterized by subacute severe visual loss in both eyes, which usually 
manifests in young adulthood. The disease has maternal inheritance due to 
mitochondrial DNA mutation. The final diagnosis is genetic. There is still no 
proven treatment, but there is significant progress in developments on the 
genetics of the disease to reach gene therapy. In this article we review the 
latest literature relevant to this disease.