Optic atrophy
What is it?
Optic atrophy is a condition that affects the optic nerve, which carries impulses from the eye to the brain.
Optic atrophy is not a disease, but rather a sign of a potentially more serious condition. Optic atrophy results from damage to the optic nerve from many different kinds of pathologies. The condition can cause problems with vision, including blindness.
Signs & symptoms
The symptoms of optic atrophy relate to a change in vision, specifically:
* Blurred vision.
* Difficulties with peripheral (side) vision.
* Difficulties with color vision.
* A reduction in sharpness of vision.
Diagnosis
It's important to see your ophthalmologist if you experience any problems with your vision, especially those listed above.
If your ophthalmologist suspects optic atrophy, he or she will examine your eyes with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. The doctor will look at the optic disc, the point at the back of the eye where the optic nerve enters. In optic atrophy, the optic disc will be pale because of a change in the flow in the blood vessels.
The ophthalmologist may also perform other tests to measure your vision and peripheral and color vision. If the ophthalmologist suspects a tumor or multiple sclerosis, you may undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.
Treatment
There is no real cure or treatment for optic atrophy. Therefore, it's important to have regular eye exams (especially if you have a family history of eye diseases), and to see your ophthalmologist immediately if you have any changes in your vision.
☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.
Learn more about our editorial process for content accuracy.
Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:
.png)
Find people who are
experiencing a similar
medical reality
Free
Alike Wisdom
Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences
You might also like