Medical Advances: Optic Nerve Injuries | Medical News and Health Information

Reported July 11, 2011

Medical Advances: Optic Nerve Injuries -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. It carries the impulses formed by the retina, which is the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye and senses light and creates impulses. These impulses are dispatched through the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets them as images. Using an ophthalmoscope, the head of the optic nerve can be easily seen. It can be viewed as the only visible part of the brain. The optic nerve is the second cranial nerve. The cranial nerve emerges from or enters the skull, as opposed to the spinal nerves, which emerge from the vertebral column. There are 12 cranial nerves. The word "optic" comes from the Greek "optikos," pertaining to sight. (SOURCE: MedicineNet.com)

INJURIES TO OPTIC NERVE: Injuries to the optic nerve can result from a number of factors. These injuries can be caused by direct or indirect contact to the optic nerve. In all cases, treatment is essential because permanent vision loss can occur. When injuries occur, many complications with vision often result, including blurred vision, visual field defects, and difficulty seeing colors. When an injury occurs anywhere on the optic nerve, the transmission from the eye to the brain becomes interrupted. In some cases, damage to the optic nerve fibers can be permanent, which can result in permanent vision loss and blindness.
(SOURCE: healthguideinfo.com)

CAUSES: Any injury that occurs to the eye socket or head can lead to an injury of the optic nerve. Common causes of these injuries are motor vehicle accidents, falls and sports collisions. Assault can cause this type of injury as well. In some cases, the injury can result from a surgical complication, which can involve the brain, sinuses or eye socket. The optic nerve may be damaged as a result of a direct injury to the nerve, such as with a stab or bullet wound, or an indirect injury when an object hits the head and causes the nerve to swell and lose blood flow, such as a fall or punch.

TREATMENT: The treatment of traumatic optic nerve injury depends on the type of injury. If there is pressure on the nerve in the eye socket from blood or air, it may be necessary to have an emergency procedure called a lateral canthotomy to relieve the pressure. In this procedure, a small cut is made between the eyelids at the corner of the eye. The patient may also need eye drops to lower the eye pressure. If the bone is pressing on the nerve, the patient may need surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve. This is called optic nerve decompression surgery. If there is bleeding around the nerve, the patient may also need surgery to try to relieve the pressure on the nerve from the blood. (SOURCE: summitmedicalgroup.com) MORE ► second step ►► Medical Advances: Optic Nerve Injuries -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information: "Reported July 11, 2011 and MORE ► third step ►►► Medical Advances: Optic Nerve Injuries -- In Depth Doctor's Interview | Medical News and Health Information: "- Enviado mediante la barra Google"

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Omar Montejo, Media Relations
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, FL
(305) 243-5654
Omontejo@med.miami.edu

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Medical Advances: Optic Nerve Injuries | Medical News and Health Information: "- Enviado mediante la barra Google"