Optic atrophy
1417300
217459034
2008-06-06T03:01:40Z
Arcadian
104523
/* See also */ OPA3
{{Infobox_Disease |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Image = Gray773.png |
Caption = The left optic nerve and the optic tracts. |
DiseasesDB = 9241 |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|H|47|2|h|46}} |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|377.1}} |
ICDO = |
OMIM = |
MedlinePlus = |
eMedicineSubj = |
eMedicineTopic = |
MeshID = D009896 |
}}
'''Optic atrophy''' is the loss of some or most of the fibers of the [[optic nerve]].<ref>[http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/patientcare/conditions/optic.atrophy.html Optic Atrophy: Definition, Symptoms, and Treatment - Kellogg Eye Center<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In medicine, "atrophy" usually means "shrunken but capable of regrowth", so some argue that "optic atrophy" as a pathological term is somewhat misleading and use "[[optic neuropathy]]" instead.
==Prognosis==
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. Three types of degeneration are seen: transsynaptic, anterograde, and retrograde.
==Symptoms==
There may be symptoms associated with loss of [[visual perception|vision]] (although there may be a particular difficulty with [[colour vision]]).
Bilateral Optic Atrophy:
Loss of vision and discoloration of discs in both eyes. This is a genetic form and can be inherited.
==Causes==
Optic atrophy can be congenital or acquired.
===Congenital===
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. [[Dominant optic atrophy]] or Kjer's optic neuropathy has autosomal dominant inheritance. It usually presents in early childhood. There are numerous less common genetically related syndromes.<ref name="OMIMsearch">[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Search&db=omim&term=Optic+atrophy&doptcmdl=Titles OMIM Optic Atrophy search]</ref>
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.
===Acquired===
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 mellitus]]), [[Physical trauma|trauma]], [[glaucoma]], or [[toxicity]] (caused by [[methanol]], [[tobacco]], or other [[poison|poisons]]). It is also seen in [[vitamin B12]] deficiency and [[Paget's disease of the bone]].
==See also==
*[[Dominant optic atrophy]]
*[[OPA3]]
==References==
<references/>
== External links ==
*[http://www.ifond.org/ International Foundation for Optic Nerve Disease]
*[http://jim.leeder.users.btopenworld.com/LHON/lhonhome.htm Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Trust]
*[http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/InternetHome.hcsp RNIB]
*[http://www.vsg.nlb-online.org/eyeconditions/index.php Vision Support Guide]
{{Eye pathology}}
[[Category:Ophthalmology]]