Partial atrophy of the optic nerve

Under nerve atrophy understand the gradual death of the optic nerve and its replacement by connective tissue. This disease can lead a group of various pathological conditions. Matter what the degree of damage to the optic nerve and how reduced vision, there are partial or complete atrophy of the optic nerve. If partial atrophy residual vision is retained, but suffers from the perception, field of vision constricted to adjust his glasses or lenses impossible. However, this process stops.

The causes of the disease

Causes of partial atrophy of the optic nerve can be:

· Diseases of the eye (lesion of the retina, optic nerve fibers, glaucoma, inflammatory diseases, myopia, optic nerve compression by the tumor);

· Brain damage if the syphilis;

· Infectious diseases (meningitis, encephalitis, arachnoiditis, abscess of the brain);

· Diseases of the Central nervous, cardiovascular system (multiple sclerosis, granuloma, arteriosclerosis of cerebral vessels, cysts, hypertension);

· Family history;

· Various intoxication, poisoning alcohol substitutes;

· The impact of trauma.

The following types of diseases:

· Congenital atrophy is manifested at birth or after a short period of time after birth.

· Acquired atrophy is a result of diseases of the adult.

Symptoms partial atrophy of the optic nerve

Manifestations of the disease can have varying degrees of severity. The main manifestations of partial atrophy of the optic nerve are:

· Decrease in visual acuity.

· The appearance of pain when attempting to move the eyeball;

· Narrowing or loss of visual fields, may be before the advent of tunnel syndrome (one sees only what is directly in front of the eyes and nothing on the sides);

· There are blind spots (scotoma).

Diagnosis of the disease

Usually the diagnosis is straightforward. When reduced vision people most often he is drawn to the optometrist, who puts the correct diagnosis, prescribing treatment.

During the inspection of the optic nerve, the doctor will certainly see the changes to the disk nerve and blanching. To clarify the diagnosis assigned to a more detailed study of the visual functions studied by the field of vision, measured intraocular pressure, used fluorescein-angiographic, radiographic, and electrophysiological studies. It is very important to find the cause of the disease, because in some situations the patient will need operative intervention.

Treatment of partial atrophy of the optic nerve

The prognosis of treatment of partial atrophy of the optic nerve is favorable. The primary goal of treatment is to stop the tissue changes optic nerve, are intended to be able to preserve what is left. Fully recover visual acuity is impossible, but without treatment, the disease can lead to blindness. The main method of treatment will depend on what is the cause of atrophy of the optic nerve.

The medications used in treatment are the funds to improve the blood supply to the nerve, improving metabolism, vasodilator drugs, multi-vitamins, biostimulants. These drugs reduce swelling, inflammation of the optic nerve head, it improves the nutrition, circulation, stimulate the activity of the remaining nerve fibers.

If the patient requires surgical treatment, it will be the main method of therapy. The emphasis is on treatment of the underlying disease, the elimination of the causes which led to the partial atrophy of the optic nerve. For best results, can be assigned to magneto-, electro-, laterosternite optic nerve, ultrasound, electrophoresis, oxygen. The earlier treatment is begun, the more favorable the prognosis. Nervous tissue is virtually impossible to recover, so the disease can't run, you need to treat it in a timely manner.

The prognosis of atrophy of the optic nerve

Any disease if treatment is to begin as soon as possible, better responding to therapy. The same can be said about the atrophy of the optic nerve. Timely begun treatment it is possible to restore the nerve, to avoid the consequences and to preserve vision. Running disease can lead to blindness, so at the first sign of decline of visual acuity, constriction of visual fields, changes in color perception, you should immediately consult an eye specialist. The doctor will do everything possible in the treatment to with your help to preserve vision.