Optic atrophy miasms

Clinic

Optic atrophy refers to the death of retinal ganglion cell axons that comprise the optic nerve with the resulting picture of a pale optic nerve on fundoscopy.

It is an end stage that arises from myriad causes of optic nerve damage anywhere along the path from the retina to the lateral geniculate. Since the optic nerve transmits retinal information to the brain, optic atrophy is associated with vision loss. Optic atrophy is somewhat of a misnomer as atrophy implies disuse, and thus optic nerve damage is better termed optic neuropathy.

Etiology

Anything that can compromise ganglion cell function can cause optic Atrophy / Neuropathy.

Optic atrophy can occur due to

• Damage within the eye (Glaucoma, Optic neuritis, Papilledema, etc.)
• Damage along the path of the optic nerve to the brain (Tumor, Neurodegenerative disorder, Trauma, etc.)
• Congenital (Leber’s hereditary optic atrophy, autosomal dominant optic atrophy)

Miasms

HTLV-1