The optic nerve is a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers. Nerve signals travel along the optic nerve from each eye and send visual information to the brain.

Damage along the optic nerve pathway causes specific patterns of vision loss. The three types of vision loss caused by optic nerve disorders are: One eye or one optic nerve is damaged; vision loss occurs on the affected side. The optic chiasm, the space behind the eyes where the optic nerves meet, is damaged; vision in the outer part of both eyes is lost. If the visual pathways from the optic chiasm to the visual cortex (the portion of the brain that comprehends visual information) are damaged, one side of the visual field is lost in both eyes; for example, damage on the right side of the brain causes the loss of the left visual field in both eyes.

There are many different types of disorders that can affect the optic nerve, including:

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that are the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises and damages the optic nerve. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. Causes include infections and immune-related illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. Sometimes the cause is unknown.

Optic nerve atrophy is damage to the optic nerve. Causes include poor blood flow to the eye, disease, trauma, or exposure to toxic substances. Optic nerve head drusen are pockets of protein and calcium salts that build up in the optic nerve over time.

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) is an undeveloped optic nerve due to a neurological insult early in the prenatal developmental period; the optic nerve has started to develop, but regresses. Visual acuity ranges from normal to severely impair. 

Congenital Optic Atrophy is usually hereditary. The milder form is autosomal dominant and has a gradual onset of deterioration in childhood but little progression thereafter. The more severe form is autosomal recessive and is present at birth or within 2 years; this form is accompanied by nystagmus.

Symptoms of optic nerve disorders

Depending on the condition, symptoms may include: Blurred vision, Eye pain, sometimes worsened by eye movement, Eye redness, flashing lights, Halos around lights, Loss of color vision, Nausea and vomiting, severe headache, Vision loss and Visual field loss.

Treatments of optic nerve disorders

Treatments and procedures may include: Abscess drainage, Antibiotics to control infection, Avoidance of alcohol, Control of blood pressure, diabetes, weight, and other risk factors, Corticosteroids, Low vision aids, including magnifiers, large-print devices, and talking watches. Optic nerve decompression – a surgical procedure that removes a portion of the bony canal (tunnel) which houses the optic nerve, Vitamin supplements.

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