Optic Nerve Disorders

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Optic Nerve Disorders is the National Eye Institute

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Summary

The optic nerve is a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers that carry visual messages. You have one connecting the back of each eye (your retina) to your brain. Damage to an optic nerve can cause vision loss. The type of vision loss and how severe it is depends on where the damage occurs. It may affect one or both eyes.

There are many different types of optic nerve disorders, including:

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that are the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises and damages the optic nerve.
Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. Causes include infections and immune-related illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Optic nerve atrophy is damage to the optic nerve. Causes include poor blood flow to the eye, disease, trauma, or exposure to toxic substances.
Optic nerve head drusen are pockets of protein and calcium salts that build up in the optic nerve over time

Contact your health care provider if you are having vision problems. Tests for optic nerve disorders may include eye exams, ophthalmoscopy (an examination of the back of your eye), and imaging tests. Treatment depends on which disorder that you have. With some optic nerve disorders, you may get your vision back. With others, there is no treatment, or treatment may only prevent further vision loss.

Start Here

Overview of Optic Nerve Disorders (Merck & Co., Inc.)

Diagnosis and Tests

Keep Your Vision Healthy: Learn About Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams (National Institutes of Health)
Optic Nerve Imaging (Glaucoma Research Foundation)
What Is a Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam? (National Eye Institute)Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

Optic Nerve Decompression (American Rhinologic Society)

Related Issues

How the Build Up of Aqueous Humor Can Damage the Optic Nerve (BrightFocus Foundation)

Specifics

Coloboma of Optic Nerve (Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center)
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (National Eye Institute)
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (Pseudotumor Cerebri) (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)Also in Spanish
Neuromyelitis Optica (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)Also in Spanish
Optic Nerve Atrophy (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Optic Nerve Drusen (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)Also in Spanish
Optic Nerve Pit (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
Optic Neuritis (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)Also in Spanish
Septo-Optic Dysplasia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Toxic Amblyopia (Nutritional Amblyopia) (Merck & Co., Inc.)