Optic atrophy is characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cell axons in the optic nerve, leading to a pale optic nerve appearance. It can result from various factors, including intraocular pressure, ischemia, and inflammation. Diagnosis involves assessing vision loss and conducting imaging tests, while management aims to preserve existing function before significant atrophy occurs.

1. Optic Atrophy
• The death of the retinal ganglion cell axons that comprise the
optic nerve with the resulting picture of a pale optic nerve on
fundoscopy.
• Optic atrophy is an end stage that arises from myriad causes of
optic nerve damage anywhere along the path from the retina to
the lateral geniculate

2. Etiology
• Damage within the eye
• Optic nerve to the brain
• Congenital

3. Risk Factors
• Increased intraocular pressure
• Ischemia
• Compression
• Inflammation
• Infection

4. Pathology
• The optic nerve is a bundle of 1.2 million axons of retinal ganglion
cells that carries visual information from the retina to the brain.
• The optic nerve is myelinated by oligodendrocytes that do not
regenerate after damage.

5. Diagnosis
• Vision Loss
• Loss of contrast or color vision.
• Brightness test loss
• Color test loss
• Physical examination

6. Signs
• Optic nerve pallor -> optic nerve damage
• Disc is pale

7. The following work up should be considered for patients presenting
with unexplained optic atrophy:
• Check for afferent pupil
• Visual fields; Color vision
• MRI of brain and orbit with contrast
• CT with contrast (check bony disease, sinuses)
• Blood pressure and check of cardiovascular health

8. Tatalaksana
• The management goal is to intervene before optic atrophy is noted
or to save remaining function
• This will depend on the underlying cause for the optic nerve
damage

9. THANKYOU