Optic atrophy

Optic atrophy is a pathological term and somewhat misleading. The term optic neuropathy is often used instead. In medicine, atrophy usually means shrunken but capable of regrowth. Optic atrophy means that on microscopic examination most of the fibers of the optic nerve are degenerated (dead). The optic nerve is part of the brain and has no capability for regeneration. Hence, there can be no recovery from optic atrophy and the term may refer to serious or mild, but always irreversible visual loss due to damage to the optic nerve. There may be symptoms associated with loss of vision (although there may be a particular difficulty with colour vision). Optic atrophy can be congenital or acquired.

Related Topics:
Optic nerve - Brain - Vision - Colour vision

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If congenital, it is usually hereditary with an onset of deterioration in childhood and may be accompanied by nystagmus. Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, (LHON) or Leber Optic Atrophy is hereditary, but typically has its onset in 20-30 year old males. This is due to a mutation of the mitochondrial genome and hence is passed exclusively through the mothers. Alternatively, congenital optic atrophy can be caused by a lack of oxygen during pregnancy, labour or in the early days of a child's life. Some drugs taken during pregnancy are also associated with optic atrophy.

Related Topics:
Nystagmus - Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, (LHON)

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The acquired type of optic atrophy may be due to blood supply changes in the eye or optic nerve (anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or posterior ischemic optic neuropathy), may be secondary to inflammation or swelling within the optic nerve (optic neuritis), may be a result of pressure against the optic nerve (such as from a tumour), or may be related to metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes), trauma, glaucoma, or toxicity (caused by alcohol, tobacco, or other poisons).

Related Topics:
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy - Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy - Optic neuritis - Tumour - Diabetes - Trauma - Glaucoma - Toxicity - Alcohol - Tobacco - Poisons

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