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Optic nerve atrophy

Definition

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:

• Brain tumor

• Giant cell arteritis (sometimes called temporal arteritis or cranial arteritis)

• Multiple sclerosis

• Stroke

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 (pressure in the eye)

• Visual acuity

• Visual field (side vision) test

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. 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 eye 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

Barboni P, Balducci N, Karanjia R. Optical coherence tomography in neuro-ophthalmology. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 9.2.

Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 391.

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.

Review Date: 8/5/2024

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.