What does a pale optic disc indicate?

Signs. Optic atrophy is a sign and typically is noted as optic nerve pallor. This is the end stage of a process resulting in optic nerve damage. Because the optic nerve fiber layer is thinned or absent the disc margins appear sharp and the disc is pale, probably reflecting absence of small vessels in the disc head.

When performing the Ophthalmoscopic examination which finding of the optic discs is abnormal?

Chalky whiteness or erythema of the disk is abnormal, as are indistinct disk margins. Any sharp change in elevation that renders one area out of focus with the ophthalmoscope, while the remainder of the retina remains in focus, is abnormal. Tortuous blood vessels usually bespeak pathology.

Is pale optic disc normal?

Sometimes the optic nerve can transition from being normal and healthy to having a pale/atrophic appearance. This is referred to as primary optic atrophy. Another scenario is when the optic nerve appears pale and atrophic secondary to a prior history of optic disc edema (secondary optic atrophy).

What causes pale optic nerve head?

The optic disc pallor may be diffuse or segmental (sectoral). Segmental pallor occurs if part of the blood supply to the optic nerve is occluded, and It will be associated with an appropriate altitudinal field defect. An important treatable cause of ischaemic optic neuropathy is giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Does glaucoma cause disc pallor?

1. Optic disc pallor in excess of cupping. Various insults can occur to the optic nerve and manifest ophthalmoscopically as pallor, atrophy, cupping and notching. By far, the most common optic nerve affliction is glaucoma.

What pathological conditions can be detected with an Ophthalmoscopic exam?

Fundoscopic / Ophthalmoscopic Exam. Visualization of the retina can provide lots of information about a medical diagnosis. These diagnoses include high blood pressure, diabetes, increased pressure in the brain and infections like endocarditis.

How do you treat a pale optic nerve?

How is optic atrophy treated? There is no real cure or treatment for optic atrophy. Therefore, it’s important to have regular eye exams (especially if you have a family history of eye diseases), and to see your ophthalmologist immediately if you have any changes in your vision.

Is optic atrophy serious?

Optic atrophy is not a disease, but rather a sign of a potentially more serious condition. Optic atrophy results from damage to the optic nerve from many different kinds of pathologies. The condition can cause problems with vision, including blindness.

Is optic atrophy common?

Optic atrophy type 1 is estimated to affect 1 in 35,000 people worldwide. This condition is more common in Denmark, where it affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people.

Can glaucoma cause optic nerve pallor?

Occasionally, patients will present with glaucomatous-type optic nerves and exhibit additional features, such as pallor, which indicate the presence of another condition entirely or an entity in addition to glaucoma.

Why are Ophthalmoscopic examinations important?

It is used to detect and evaluate symptoms of retinal detachment or eye diseases such as glaucoma. Ophthalmoscopy may also be done if you have signs or symptoms of high blood pressure, diabetes, or other diseases that affect the blood vessels.

Can a pale optic nerve heal?

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for optic atrophy. Once the nerve fibers in the optic nerve are lost they never heal or grow back. However, early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying causes of optic atrophy can help prevent further damage from the disease.

How do people with optic atrophy see?

Optic atrophy type 1 is a condition that often causes slowly worsening vision, usually beginning in childhood. People with optic atrophy type 1 typically experience a narrowing of their field of vision (tunnel vision). Affected individuals gradually lose their sight as their field of vision becomes smaller.

What does optic nerve look like with glaucoma?

When any part of the optic nerve rim is pale, that’s a sign that glaucoma may not be the only problem, because in most glaucomas, no matter how advanced, the optic nerve rim remains pink. It might be extremely thin because of cupping, but it usually remains a healthy color until the end stages of the disease.