Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy

Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON) is a nervous disease (neuropathy) that affects peripheral nerves and the spinal cord (myelo-) as well as the eyes (-optic), leading to a disabling paralysis, blindness and even death. An epidemic of SMON, blamed on the neurotoxic effect of large doses of clioquinol, occurred in Japan during the 1960s, affecting over 10,000 people.