What causes optic disc swelling?
Cases with bilateral optic disc swelling are often associated with papilledema, infiltrative optic neuropathy, toxic optic neuropathy, and malignant hypertension [1]. The most common cause of optic disc swelling in Caucasians has been reported to be anterior ischemic optic neuropathy [2].
What does a pale optic disc mean?
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.
What is normal optic disc size?
The optic disc can be round, but is usually vertically oval in shape. The normal optic nerve head diameter varies in size from 1.2 to 2.5mm. There is some inconsistency in the literature as to what cutoffs to use for a small or large disc, but in general a disc can be considered small if ≤ 1.2 mm and large if ≥ 1.8 mm.
What is normal cup disc ratio?
The normal cup to disc ratio (the diameter of the cup divided by the diameter of the whole nerve head or disc) is about 1/3 or 0.3. There is some normal variation here, with some people having almost no cup (thus having 1/10 or 0.1), and others having 4/5ths or 0.8 as a cup to disc ratio.
How do you treat a swollen optic nerve?
Optic neuritis usually improves on its own. In some cases, steroid medications are used to reduce inflammation in the optic nerve. Possible side effects from steroid treatment include weight gain, mood changes, facial flushing, stomach upset and insomnia. Steroid treatment is usually given by vein (intravenously).
Is optic nerve swelling serious?
Papilledema is swelling of your optic nerve, which connects the eye and brain. This swelling is a reaction to a buildup of pressure in or around your brain that may have many causes. Often, it’s a warning sign of a serious medical condition that needs attention, such as a brain tumor or hemorrhage.
Can a pale optic nerve be 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.
Does glaucoma cause pale optic nerve?
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.
Does a large optic nerve mean glaucoma?
When a person is shown to have large optic nerve cups, it could be an indicator of damage unless it can be determined that the cup size is considered normal for that individual. Ultimately, it is through a combination of eye exams and observations that your eye doctor will determine whether you have glaucoma.
What is disc diameter?
The disc-macula: disc diameter (DM:DD) ratio is the ratio of the horizontal distance between the center of the optic disc and the macula to the mean diameter of the optic disc, as evaluated from fundus photographs.
What is a normal eye pressure?
Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal eye pressure ranges from 12-22 mm Hg, and eye pressure of greater than 22 mm Hg is considered higher than normal. When the IOP is higher than normal but the person does not show signs of glaucoma, this is referred to as ocular hypertension.
What does vision look like with glaucoma?
Our study found that the most common symptoms reported by all patients, including those with early or moderate glaucoma, were needing more light and blurry vision. Vision loss in patients with glaucoma is not as simple as the traditional view of loss of peripheral vision or “tunnel vision.”