OBJECTIVE: To present an overview of possible effects of Arnold-Chiari malformation (ACM) and to offer chiropractic approaches and theories for treatment of a patient with severe visual dysfunction complicated by ACM. CLINICAL FEATURES: A young woman had complex optic nerve neuritis exacerbated by an ACM type I of the brain. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Applied kinesiology chiropractic treatment was used for treatment of loss of vision and nystagmus. After treatment, the patient's ability to see, read, and perform smooth eye tracking showed improvement. CONCLUSION: Further studies into applied kinesiology and cranial treatments for visual dysfunctions associated with ACM may be helpful to evaluate whether this single case study can be representative of a group of patients who might benefit from this care.