PURPOSE:To investigate mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON). METHODS:Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)method was used to analyse mtDNA of 11 patients in a pedigree with LHON and 4 control subjects from none LHON pedigree. RESULTS:There was a loss of a restriction site for the restriction endonuclease SfaN.Ⅰin Ihe Patients with LHON. In this pedigree,maternal lineage was regarded a carrier of the pathogenic gene. CONCLUSIONS:The patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy have a point mutation in mtDNA,which results in loss ol SfaN I endonuclease restriction site .and this change is one of mechanisms inducing this disaese. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1997,13: 27-29）