Abnormal Optic Nerve

The optic nerve sends information from your eyes to your brain, enabling you to see so that any abnormalities can affect your vision. At Dallas Glaucoma Specialists in Allen, Texas, Arun Joseph, MD, and the other leading ophthalmologists offer specialized diagnosis and treatment to patients with abnormal optic nerves. They treat all abnormalities, preserving your sight and relieving symptoms like pain and flashing lights. Call Dallas Glaucoma Specialists or schedule a consultation online for an expert abnormal optic nerve assessment today. 

What is an abnormal optic nerve?

The optic nerve at the back of each eye receives information from the retina and transmits it to your brain. The brain analyzes the information and organizes it so you can see.

An abnormal optic nerve might be too large, thin, or otherwise different from a healthy nerve. This can affect your vision and could cause sight loss if severe.

What symptoms might an abnormal optic nerve cause?

Abnormal optic nerve symptoms vary depending on the condition and its severity, but common problems include:

• Eye pain
• Color vision loss
• Seeing flashing lights
• Nystagmus (shaking eyes)
• Reduced vision
• Sight loss

These problems may affect one or both eyes.

What are the most common optic nerve abnormalities?

The most common abnormal optic nerve conditions include:

Large optic nerves

Some people’s optic nerves are naturally larger than others and work perfectly well, but conditions like optic nerve swelling and tumors can cause abnormal enlargement. Megalopapilla is a condition where the optic nerve head (optic disc) is larger than usual. Morning glory disc anomaly makes the optic nerve head look like a morning glory flower.

Another cause is congenital abnormalities — developmental problems arising before birth. These include coloboma (where normal eye tissue is missing) and staphyloma (thinning of the eye’s whites).

Asymmetric optic nerves

Optic nerve hypoplasia is the most common cause of asymmetric (differently sized) optic nerves. It means that one eye’s optic nerve is much smaller and less well developed than the other eye and has a thinner nerve fiber layer.

Other optic nerve abnormalities include deep depressions (pits) in the discs, tilted discs, and discoloration.

You should visit Dallas Glaucoma Specialists for an optic nerve evaluation to identify abnormalities and determine whether you have or are at risk of getting glaucoma. Early functional optic nerve damage detection is vital to minimize the risk of progressive, permanent vision loss.

How is an abnormal optic nerve treated?

Prescription eyeglasses might help with some optic nerve abnormalities. Corticosteroid medications ease symptoms by reducing optic nerve inflammation. In some cases, surgery might be necessary. If you have glaucoma, your ophthalmologist might recommend treatments like:

• Medicated eye drops
• Laser trabeculoplasty
• Laser iridotomy
• Surgical trabeculectomy
• Goniotomy
• XEN® gel stent implantation
• Tube shunt implantation

Dallas Glaucoma Specialists has expert eye doctors who use cutting-edge technology to assess and treat optic nerve abnormalities.

Call the office for timely diagnosis and treatment or request an optic nerve evaluation via the online booking feature today.