The Children's Tumour Registry in Manchester records details of children in the North West Region of England with gliomas of the anterior optic pathways. In the 30 years to 1983, the diagnosis of optic nerve glioma was confirmed in only 22 children out of a population of 1 million under the age of 15 years. This paper examines the presentation, investigation and management of these children in relation to the site of their tumour. The place of radiotherapy is considered, and with the widespread availability of new imaging techniques, fresh protocols are offered for the investigation and treatment of this rare tumour.