Optic nerve atrophy
Optic atrophy; Optic neuropathyOptic nerve atrophy is damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries images of what the eye sees to the brain.
Causes
There are many causes of optic atrophy. The most common is poor blood flow. This is called ischemic optic neuropathy. The problem most often affects older adults. The optic nerve can also be damaged by shock, toxins, radiation, and trauma.
Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, can also cause a form of optic nerve atrophy. The condition can also be caused by diseases of the brain and central nervous system. These may include:
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve. This nerve sends the images you see to your brain. Most often, optic nerve da...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- Brain tumor
- Cranial arteritis (sometimes called temporal arteritis or giant cell arteritis)
- Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Stroke
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
There are also rare forms of hereditary optic nerve atrophy that affect children and young adults. Sometimes injuries to the face or head may result in optic nerve atrophy.
Symptoms
Optic nerve atrophy causes vision to dim and reduces the field of vision. The ability to see fine detail will also be lost. Colors will seem faded. Over time, the pupil will be less able to react to light, and eventually, its ability to react to light may be lost.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will do a complete eye exam to look for the condition. The exam will include tests of:
- Color vision
- Pupil light reflex
- Tonometry
Tonometry
Tonometry is a test to measure the pressure inside your eyes. The test is used to screen for glaucoma. It is also used to measure how well glaucoma...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Visual acuity
- Visual field (side vision) test
You may also need a complete physical exam and other tests.
Physical exam
During a physical examination, a health care provider checks your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem. A physical examinati...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleTreatment
Damage from optic nerve atrophy cannot be reversed. The underlying disease must be found and treated. Otherwise, vision loss will continue.
Rarely, conditions that lead to optic atrophy may be treatable. Stem cells may prove helpful for people with optic atrophy.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Vision lost to optic nerve atrophy cannot be recovered. It is very important to protect the other eye.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
People with this condition need to be checked regularly by an eye doctor with experience in nerve-related conditions. Tell your doctor right away about any change in vision.
Prevention
Many causes of optic nerve atrophy cannot be prevented.
Prevention steps include:
- Older adults should have their provider carefully manage their blood pressure.
- Use standard safety precautions to prevent injuries to the face. Most facial injuries are the result of car accidents. Wearing seat belts may help prevent these injuries.
- Schedule a routine annual eye exam to check for glaucoma.
- Never drink home-brewed alcohol and forms of alcohol that are not intended for drinking. Methanol, which may be found in home-brewed alcohol, can cause optic nerve atrophy in both eyes.
References
Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 395.
Kahraman NS, Öner A. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell implantation in patients with optic atrophy. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2021;31(6):3463-3470. PMID: 33307808 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33307808/.
Karanjia R, Patel VR, Sadun AA. Hereditary, nutritional, and toxic optic atrophies. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 9.9.
Thurtell MJ, Prasad S, Tomsak RL. Neuro-ophthalmology: afferent visual system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 16.
Optic nerve - illustration
The optic nerve carries the information of vision from the eye to the brain.
Optic nerve
illustration
Visual field test - illustration
Central and peripheral vision is tested by using visual field tests. Changes may indicate eye diseases, such as glaucoma or retinitis.
Visual field test
illustration
Optic nerve - illustration
The optic nerve carries the information of vision from the eye to the brain.
Optic nerve
illustration
Visual field test - illustration
Central and peripheral vision is tested by using visual field tests. Changes may indicate eye diseases, such as glaucoma or retinitis.
Visual field test
illustration
Review Date: 8/22/2022
Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.