The optic nerve is responsible for the transfer of impulses from the eye to the brain. The optic nerve carries over a million nerve fibers and any damage to the optic nerve can affect the vision. Based on the type of damage, the vision loss can be severe or mild affecting a single or both the eyes. The diseases of the optic nerve can develop because of several causes such as genetic problem, abnormal development or as the result of acquired factors such as trauma. Some of the common optic nerve disorders include glaucoma, optic neuritis, optic nerve atrophy and ischemic optic neuropathy.
Glaucoma
This is a progressing disease that develops because of the fluid pressure inside the eye that slowly increases causing damage to the optic nerve fibers. Blindness associated with glaucoma can be prevented and is considered to be one of the leading causes of blindness among people over the age of 60. There are two major types of glaucoma; primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma is the common form and angle-closure glaucoma develops when the iris is very close to the drainage angle in the eye and when the drainage becomes blocked, eye pressure can develop quickly causing symptoms such as sudden blurry vision, headache, severe eye pain, vomiting, nausea and halos around lights. The damage caused by glaucoma is usually permanent although if it is detected in its early stage, further damage can be stopped with medication or surgery.
Optic neuritis
This develops because of an inflammation that can damage the optic nerve causing pain and temporary vision loss in a single eye. Additional symptoms can include visual field loss, flashing lights and loss of color vision. This condition is associated with multiple sclerosis that causes inflammation and affects the nerves in the brain and the spinal cord. It can also develop because of a number of conditions such as an infection or an immune disease. Optic neuritis can improve on its own although in some case medications may be required to reduce the inflammation in the optic nerve.
Optic atrophy
Optic atrophy develops because of a damage to the optic nerve because of a number of conditions such as poor blood flow, trauma, radiation, improper development of the optic nerve because of a congenital condition and disorders affecting the brain and the central nervous system. It can affect the central vision, color vision and the peripheral vision. In addition, it can also affect the individual’s ability to identify fine details of an image and the pupils appear to be less able to react to light. There is no cure for the condition but the treatment such as reducing the pressure on the brain and the spinal cord can help prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
References
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/glaucoma-treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/optic-atrophy
https://medlineplus.gov/opticnervedisorders.html
https://www.ocutech.com/eye-disorders/optic-nerve-disorders/
