Home / Treatment / Atrophy of the optic nerve

Atrophy of the optic nerve

Causes and symptoms of optic nerve atrophy, diagnosis and treatment


The optic nerve with a diameter of about 2 millimeters, is a bunch consisting of more than a million fibers. This is the main highway that transmits impulses from the eye to the visual part of the brain where it is then the synthesis and analysis of the stimuli, their transformation in the usual and plain picture.

Atrophy of the optic nerve is the necrosis of its fibers, leading to a decrease in acuity and visual field restriction, or headaches. Each of the fibers is responsible for a certain area and when they die of fall visible field matching region.

Causes of optic nerve atrophy

Of reasons that can cause atrophy of the visual nerve system. These may include compression, inflammation, swelling or damage of the fibers and the vessels they supply. Share congenital (hereditary) atrophy, and acquired, triggered by another disease: encephalitis, meningitis, syphilis, multiple sclerosis, tumors, nervous system disorders, uveitis, optic neuritis, beriberi, and many others.

Often atrophy can be caused by all sorts of poisoning (methyl alcohol, quinine, etc.), traumatic brain injury, various eye diseases, and anatomical abnormalities of the skull (congenital or acquired).

Symptoms of optic nerve atrophy

Atrophy of the optic nerve in a patient narrows the field of view, indicators of visual acuity, they cannot be corrected with glasses. Sometimes there are headaches and permanent black spots before the eyes, called blind zones. Eyesight is much worse in twilight. Color (red and green) are perceived differently.

The optic disc becomes white, sometimes becoming gray or blue shade, since the reduced number of small blood vessels that feed it. Disturbed peripheral vision, sometimes it drops out completely, sometimes narrowed concentrically, and in some cases sectoral.

Share partial atrophy and complete. In the first case, the vision is reduced, but is treatable. In the second, the eye or both eyes blinded.

Diagnosis of optic nerve atrophy

The first step is to visit an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). After examination of the optic disc, blood vessels, the fundus, in other words, ophthalmoscopy, the doctor will determine the feasibility of further, deeper examination, because conventional inspection is insufficient to make such diagnosis, as atrophy of the optic nerve.

Important factors are the indicators of acuity, visual field, color vision, etc. in addition, if the patient showed a color change (pallor) of the optic nerve, or temporal divisions, additionally appointed computed tomography or fluorescein angiography.

Computed tomography of the eye allows to obtain three-dimensional image of the orbit and optic nerve on the screen of the imager. However, it is formed in layers, of a plurality of slices, and subsequently recreating the full anatomical picture. Highly informative, non-contact method makes it possible to obtain accurate three-dimensional image of the fundus.

Fluorescein angiography examines the small vessels of the organs of vision by the introduction of colorant and subsequent high-frequency photography.

In some cases x-ray skull (craniography), namely, its specific region, called the Turkish saddle. Sometimes in addition to examination by an ophthalmologist, there is a need to consult a neurologist, and sometimes even the neurosurgeon.

Treatment of optic nerve atrophy

As with any disease, when the atrophy is very important to start treatment in time. Deadened the optic nerve cannot be recovered, but prevent the further progression of the disease is possible.

When assigning treatment regimens, it is important to identify the primary reason for the atrophy, in the case that she purchased. Because there is no point in treating the result, not eliminating the cause. Then to stop the process of degeneration of fibres of different prescribe vasodilator drugs that improve blood supply and nutrition to the optic nerve, thus increasing its life. Prescribe vitamins to strengthen the immune system.

Also use various physiotherapy methods. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation – non-invasive, painless, easily tolerated by patients, improves nerve conduction. Magnetostimulation stimulates blood circulation, prevents local hypoxia and as a consequence improves visual function. Method of direct electrical stimulation has an analgesic effect, normalizes the nervous system, stimulates the growth of vascularchannel.