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DEGENERATION OF THE OPTIC NERVE (SYMPTOMS (Blurred vision, Difficulties…
DEGENERATION OF THE OPTIC NERVE
OPTIC ATROPHY
Refers to the death of retinal ganglion cell axons that comprise the optic nerve with the resulting picture of a pale optic nerve on funduscopy
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The axons of the optic nerve are heavily myelinated by oligodendrocytes
and the axons, once damaged, do not regenerate.
The optic nerve head sits at a major transition between an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
light incidence from the ophthalmoscope undergoes total internal reflection
from the capillaries on the disc surface gives rise to the characteristic yellow-pink color of a healthy optic disc.
degenerated axons lose this optical property, explaining the pallor in optic atrophy.
CAUSES
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.
SYMPTOMS
Blurred vision
Difficulties with peripheral (side) vision
Difficulties with color vision
Poor constriction of the pupil in light
Decreased brightness in one eye relative to the other
Change in the optic disc
TREATMENT
there is no effective treatment for optic atrophy
Once the nerve fibers in the optic nerve are lost they never heal or grow back.
Therefore, the best defense for optic nerve atrophy is an early diagnosis
because if the cause can be found and corrected,
further damage can be prevented