Study for the Visual Impairment Education Certification Test. Explore multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Prepare thoroughly!

Multiple Choice

LHON (Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy) is inherited through which pattern?

Mitochondrial inheritance. LHON results from mutations in mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited only from the mother. This means an affected woman can pass the mutation to all of her children (sons and daughters), while a father cannot pass it on. The condition shows variable penetrance, so not everyone with the mtDNA mutation develops vision loss, and it tends to affect males more often when symptoms appear, even though both sexes can be affected. The mutations impair the mitochondrial respiratory chain, leading to degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve.

Mitochondrial inheritance. LHON results from mutations in mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited only from the mother. This means an affected woman can pass the mutation to all of her children (sons and daughters), while a father cannot pass it on. The condition shows variable penetrance, so not everyone with the mtDNA mutation develops vision loss, and it tends to affect males more often when symptoms appear, even though both sexes can be affected. The mutations impair the mitochondrial respiratory chain, leading to degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve.