Purpose: To determine whether the size and configuration of the optic chiasm in humans with albinism is different from that in normal control subjects.
Methods: Seventeen patients and 15 control subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the entire head. Images were reformatted to the chiasm region and analyzed with observer-independent morphometry and measurements by a blinded observer.
Results: The albino group showed significantly smaller chiasmatic widths, smaller optic nerves and tracts, and wider angles between nerves and tracts. Statistical morphometry showed a different configuration of the optic chiasm.
Conclusions: Size and configuration of the optic chiasm in humans with albinism are distinctly different from those in normal control subjects and reflect the atypical crossing of optic fibers.