Purpose To investigate the relationship between mitochondrial DNA 11778 mutation and clinical characteristics of patients with Laber is hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON). Methods PCR RFLPs (MaeⅢ) and mutation specific primer PCR(MSP-PCR) were used simultaneously to detect mitochondrial DNA 11778 mutation. Results Among 10 subjects who habored 11778 mutation,one was a carrier and nine were patients with LHON.Of the nine patients,six were males and three were females.The age of onset ranged from 12 to 25 years old and the onset interval of the two eyed varied between 0 to 6 months. The visual acuity was CF/10cm-0.1 except one who lost her vision after delivery but recovered gradually.The results of visual field,VEP and color vision were abnormal but ERG and systemic status were all normal. Conclusion Molecular biological detection of the ten subjects showed that they all habored mtDNA 11778 mutation.The existence of carrier and visual recovery imlied that mtDNA mutation was a primary cause of LHON,but other factors such as endocrine disorder might influence the pathogenesis of LHON. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:156-158)