ABSTRACT
Optic atrophy is a pathological term referring to optic nerve shrinkage caused by degeneration of retinal ganglion cell axons.
Problem
Optic atrophy is not a diagnosis, but rather a sign of disease affecting some part of the visual pathway. In adults this means the retinogeniculate section of the visual pathway. Glaucoma is the most common cause of optic atrophy. However, the changes to the optic disc caused by glaucoma differ from those caused by non-glaucomatous disease, and the diagnosis (of glaucoma) is not usually in doubt. Optic nerve disease in the presence of pre-existing amblyopia is particularly difficult to diagnose.
