Optic Nerve Disorders

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.

National Eye Institute

Genetics

• Autosomal dominant optic atrophy and cataract: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Costeff syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Deafness-dystonia-optic neuronopathy syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Early-onset glaucoma: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Neuromyelitis optica: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Optic atrophy type 1: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Renal coloboma syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Septo-optic dysplasia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Optic Nerve Diseases National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Optic Nerve Injuries National Institutes of Health

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
• Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Neuromyelitis Optica National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Nutritional and Toxic Optic Neuropathies Merck & Co., Inc.
• Optic Nerve Atrophy American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• Optic Nerve Drusen American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• Optic Nerve Hypoplasia American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• Optic Nerve Pit American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• Optic Neuritis American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• Septo-Optic Dysplasia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Statistics and Research

• Eye Health Data and Statistics National Eye Institute

Diagnosis and Tests

• Get a Dilated Eye Exam National Eye Institute
• Optic Nerve Imaging Glaucoma Research Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Optic glioma Medical Encyclopedia
• Optic nerve atrophy Medical Encyclopedia
• Optic neuritis Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Overview of Optic Nerve Disorders Merck & Co., Inc.

Journal Articles

• Optic Nerve Disorders

Videos and Tutorials

• The Visual System National Eye Institute