Hereditary optic atrophy, or Leber's disease, is an unusual condition, and has received little attention in American medical literature. Moreover, it is of interest to neurologists because of its close relationship to other heredodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Therefore, it was thought advisable to report in detail a case of this disease that was observed recently at the neurologic service of the Boston City Hospital, together with the family history of the patient and a brief review of the literature on the subject. Following is a summary of the records of this patient from examinations made at the Boston City Hospital on Aug. 5, 1929, by Dr. Stanley Cobb and his staff, and at the Wilmer Institute of Johns Hopkins Hospital on Nov. 25, 1929, by Dr. William H. Wilmer and his staff. The patient was referred to Dr. Cobb and Dr. Wilmer by Dr. John M. Wheeler