AIM:To investigate the association of abdominal obesity with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy(NAION).METHODS:The cohort study was consisted of 45 individuals of Han nationality in Shaanxi or northern areas that had been diagnosed with NAION and 45 healthy controls [matched for age,gender and body mass index(BMI)].None of the cases or controls had a history of diabetes,serious cardio-cerebral vascular diseases,liver and kidney dysfunction.The waist circumference(male’s≥85cm,female’s≥80cm)was defined as abdominal obesity.RESULTS:It was found that 31(69%) of 45 NAION patients had abdominal obesity,but only 21(47%) of 45 controls had it,there was no significant difference between NAION patients and controls(P<0.05).There were 26 smokers(58%),20 drinkers(44%) in NAION group,11 smokers(24%),16 drinkers(36%) in the control group,there was statistically significant difference between the two groups in smoking(P<0.05),and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in drinking(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Abdominal obesity may be associated with the susceptibility to NAION in the northern Chinese population of Han nationality.