Bilateral simultaneous nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is extremely rare. A 57-year-old woman presented with bilateral optic disc oedema and peripapillary splinter haemorrhages. Initial visual acuities were hand movements in the right eye and light perception in the left eye. The patient had a mildly elevated diastolic blood pressure and glucose intolerance. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were within normal limits. Temporal artery biopsy was negative for temporal arteritis. Marked visual improvement occurred in both eyes (0.8 in the right eye, 0.6 in the left eye) after systemic steroid therapy in the 16th month of follow-up.