Optic Nerve Defect (Optic Neuropathy)

 Optic Nerve Defect (Optic Neuropathy)

The optic nerve carries visual signals from the retina to the brain. Any damage or disease affecting it is called an optic nerve defect or optic neuropathy.

Causes





Glaucoma – Increased intraocular pressure damaging the optic nerve.


Optic neuritis – Inflammation of the optic nerve (often linked to multiple sclerosis).


Ischemic optic neuropathy – Reduced blood supply to the optic nerve.





Trauma – Direct injury to the optic nerve.



Toxins or drugs – e.g., methanol, certain medications.


Tumors or compressive lesions – Pressing on the optic nerve.


Symptoms

  • Sudden or gradual vision loss

  • Blurred or dim vision

  • Loss of color vision (dyschromatopsia)

  • Visual field defects (partial blind spots or complete vision loss)

  • Pain on eye movement (common in optic neuritis)

Signs

  • Pale optic disc (optic atrophy) on fundus examination

  • Swollen optic disc (papilledema) if due to raised intracranial pressure

  • Relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) on swinging flashlight test

Management

  • Treat underlying cause (infection, inflammation, pressure, or ischemia)

  • Steroids for optic neuritis (if indicated)

  • Control intraocular pressure in glaucoma

  • Avoid toxins/drugs that affect the optic nerve

  • Rehabilitation for low vision if damage is permanent

For further process click https://medorbis.ai

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MYOPIA

What is Myopia? Myopia (commonly called nearsightedness) is a vision condition where a person can see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurry. What Causes Myopia? It usually occurs when: The eyeball is too long from front to back. The cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is too curved. As a result, light rays focus in front of the retina, instead of directly on it. Symptoms of Myopia: Blurred vision when looking at distant objects. Squinting to see clearly. Eye strain or headaches (especially after focusing on distant objects). Difficulty seeing while driving, especially at night (night myopia). Risk Factors: Genetics : If one or both parents are myopic, the risk increases. Excessive near work : Prolonged reading, computer, or phone use. Lack of outdoor time: Spending less time in natural light, especially in childhood. Treatment and Management Corrective Lenses: Eyeglasses or contact lenses with minus (–) power lenses. Refractive Surgery: LASIK, PRK, SMILE – re...
Read more

Important of colour check

  Why is it important to check colour vision? Checking colour vision is important for several reasons: 1. Early Detection of Vision Disorders It helps detect congenital colour blindness, especially in children. Can also reveal acquired conditions due to eye diseases (e.g., glaucoma, optic neuritis). 2. Career Requirement Certain professions require normal colour vision, such as: Pilots Electricians Military personnel Police officers Graphic designers Drivers Railway and maritime workers 3. Safety and Daily Functioning Correct colour recognition is vital for identifying traffic lights, warning signs, and colour-coded materials. Difficulty distinguishing colours can impact school performance, cooking, clothing choices, and reading charts or graphs. 4. Monitoring Disease Progression Colour vision testing helps track changes in patients with: Diabetic retinopathy Multiple sclerosis Macular degeneration Medication side effects (e.g., ethambutol) 5. Educational Guidance In children, dete...
Read more