Optic nerve atrophy

Optic 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...

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• Brain tumor
• Cranial arteritis (sometimes called temporal arteritis)
• Multiple sclerosis

  Multiple sclerosis

  Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

  

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• 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...

  

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There are also rare forms of hereditary optic nerve atrophy that affect children and young adults.

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.

  

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• Visual acuity

You may also need a complete physical exam and other tests.

Treatment

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.

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 is found in home-brewed alcohol, can cause optic nerve atrophy in both eyes.