Most patients with optic atrophy will display visual impairment in one or both eyes that occurs gradually over time, although, certain genetic mutations lead to optic atrophy that causes abrupt visual impairment. Specific symptoms include blurred vision, acuity, impaired color vision, photophobia, headaches and vertigo. Damage to the macula will specifically impair central vision and ability to focus on small objects while no impairment in peripheral vision will be observed [8].

• Plethora

  Since optic atrophy may be associated with or even caused by a plethora of other conditions, the morbidity rates are highly dependent on the cause of optic atrophy. [symptoma.com]

• Mild Clinical Course

  In contrast to the recently reported patients, however, the siblings reported in this study had a relatively mild clinical course, with sudden onset in adolescence in the proband. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Blurred Vision

  Danish Retinablødning, synsforstyrrelser (ikke yderligere specificeret), sløret syn, fotofobi, chromatopsia, cyanopsia, øjenirritation, blodsprængte øjne / røde øjne English Retinal haemorrhage, visual disturbance NOS, blurred vision, photophobia, chromatopsia [mymemory.translated.net]

  The symptoms of optic atrophy relate to a change in vision, specifically: Blurred vision. Difficulties with peripheral (side) vision. Difficulties with color vision. A reduction in sharpness of vision. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  Some of the symptoms and signs of Optic Atrophy include: Blurred vision, Reduced colour appreciation, Disturbance to the field of vision, Dimming of what one can see along with poor pupil reaction to light and optic nerve paleness (the healthy optic nerve [cataract.org.uk]

  Symptoms Blurred vision Abnormal side vision Abnormal color vision Decreased brightness in one eye relative to the other The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that you have optic atrophy. [umkelloggeye.org]

• Onset in Adolescence

  In contrast to the recently reported patients, however, the siblings reported in this study had a relatively mild clinical course, with sudden onset in adolescence in the proband. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Optic atrophy can be diagnosed using imaging studies and functional tests specific for the etiology of disease. In patients with orbital tumors ultrasonography should be used. Patients who are affected with papilledema that is causing optic atrophy should be imaged using an optical ultrasound which can be utilized to identify dilatation of the sheath. Optic atrophy caused by a fracture should be imaged using computed tomography without contrast. Patients with optic atrophy caused by multiple sclerosis will have hyperechoic areas which should be imaged using magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium followed by fluid attenuated inversion recovery [9]. Functional optic nerve tests to determine optic atrophy include visual acuity test (eg. Snellen test), color vision tests (eg. Farnswoth-Munsell tests, Pseudoisochromatic tests, Holmgren wool tests and lantern tests), sensitivity to contrast tests (eg. Arden grantings test, Cambridge low contrast grating tests and Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity tests), pupillary tests to detect a relative afferent pupillary defect along with other tests to determine the presence and severity of optic nerve damage.

There are no standard treatments that can cure optic atrophy to restore lost vision. However, timely diagnosis and treatment may prevent the progression of optic atrophy and save vision that is yet to be lost. Both ischemic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis are shown to benefit from steroid administration intravenously. Recent studies have indicated that idebenone, which has minimal side effects, is effective in preventing the progression of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy in patients with visual acuities due to its effects on ATP synthesis and free radicals [10]. Traditionally, it was thought that optic nerves have no regenerative capacity. However, recent studies in animals have demonstrated that regeneration and retina remapping are possible and factors are now being identified that can improve and speed up this process [11] [12]. Furthermore, stem cell therapies for neuropathies are showing great promise and it may one day be possible to deliver stem cells that can regenerate the optic nerve to cure patients with optic atrophy.

If serious direct destruction of the optic nerve has occurred, due to trauma, the resulting blindness is often irreversible. Similarly, optic nerve atrophy caused by toxins, degenerative or vascular disease may also be irreversible. On the other hand, if optic atrophy occurs secondary to pressure caused by a tumor improvement of sight to normal is likely. Severity of the inherited form of optic atrophy varies widely and greatly depends on the underlying mutation as well as other known and unknown environmental factors. There is no cure for optic atrophy, although physicians may be able to prevent further nerve damage by removing the cause of degeneration which may allow patients to preserve adequate vision and in some cases return to normal vision.

The most common causes of optic atrophy are genomic mutations. Dysfunctional mitochondria, resulting from genomic abnormalities, lead to an inability of nerve cells in the retina to fight off oxidative stress caused by the free radicals produced when light enters the retina [3]. This amplified oxidative stress leads to injury and death of nerve cells.

Aside from genomic abnormalities, optic atrophy may be caused by a number of environmentally acquired factors. These factors include increased pressure on the optic nerve, glaucoma, papilledema, inflammation (eg. Graves disease and Sarcoidosis), direct and indirect trauma, infections (eg. syphilis, tuberculosis and meningitis), hypoperfusion of the optic nerve, drugs (eg. chloroquine, amiodarone, ethambutol, isotretinoin, vincristine, linezolid, oral contraceptive pills, streptomycin and PDE-5 inhibitors), vitamin deficiency, toxins (eg. heavy metals, cyanide, alcohols and tobacco) and oxygen deficiency during pregnancy and labor (congenital).

Of individuals who are blind, approximately 0.8-0.12% of the condition is caused by optic atrophy and around 0.04% of individuals may attribute their partial blindness to optic atrophy [4] [5]. Since optic atrophy may be associated with or even caused by a plethora of other conditions, the morbidity rates are highly dependent on the cause of optic atrophy.

Optic atrophy affects the optic nerve, which is made up of over one million highly myelinated neurons that do not express regenerative capabilities like other peripheral nerves. There are four distinct regions of the optic nerve which include the intracranial, intracanalicular, intraorbital and intraocular parts. A healthy optic nerve internally reflects the light of an ophthalmoscope to the capillaries and back to the disk surface producing a pinkish-yellow color. Once damage occurs to the optic nerve the axons lose their reflective properties resulting in a pale color. Furthermore, in optic atrophy the Kestenbaum count (total quantity of optic disk capillaries) reduces from around 10 to fewer than 6, which may also contribute to the pale appearance upon examination of the optic disk.

Optic atrophy may be classified based on the origin and direction of degeneration. During anterograde degeneration, the origin of degeneration is the retina which progresses in the direction of the brain. In this type of optic atrophy the bigger axons degenerate faster than the smaller axons. Conversely, during retrograde degeneration, the origin of degeneration is the region of the axon closer to the brain which progresses in the direction of the eye. Finally, during trans-synaptic degeneration, which occurs in the womb or in infancy, the destruction of an optic neuron leads to the degeneration of another optic neuron on the opposite side of the synapse.

Another way to classify optic atrophy is through the cause of nerve damage. Optic nerve or pituitary tumors, trauma and multiple sclerosis may cause primary optic atrophy, which is characterized by ordered degeneration of nerves that does not result in changes to the structure of the optic nerve. Papilledema may cause secondary optic atrophy, which is characterized by obvious nerve degeneration leading to a buildup of glial tissue. Retinal artery occlusion, myopia and retinitis pigmentosa may cause consecutive optic atrophy, which is characterized by a pale waxy disk with shrunken arteries but no change in margins or physiologic cup. Glaucoma may cause glaucomatous optic atrophy, which is characterized by severe cupping of the optic disk. Vitamin deficiency, trauma and multiple sclerosis may cause temporal pallor. Disease classification is usually established through functional tests of the optic nerve.

The different types of inherited optic atrophy include ADOA, AROA, Behr optic atrophy and Leber optic atrophy [6] [7]. The mutation responsible for ADOA is found within the mitochondrial dynamin like GTPase (OPA1) gene located at position q29 on chromosome 3. A mutation in the OPA2 gene found on the X chromosome causes X-linked optic atrophy and AROA is caused by a mutation in the 3-methylglutaconic aciduria, type 3 (OPA3) gene found at location q13.32 on chromosome 19.

The majority of factors that cause optic atrophy are unavoidable, however, there are some things that can be done to prevent this disease. Since high blood pressure is one factor that promotes optic atrophy, patients should closely monitor and try to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Any practices that reduce the risk of face injuries, including seat belt usage while driving, will help to lower the chances of developing optic atrophy. Regular glaucoma exams are also recommended to prevent optic atrophy. Methanol, which is linked to optic nerve damage and present in some homemade alcohols, should be avoided.

Optic atrophy is a genetic disease that can be autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive. The autosomal dominant form of optic atrophy (ADOA) requires only one copy of the defective gene in order for a patient to be affected, whereas, the autosomal recessive form (AROA) requires both copies of the defective gene to be present [1]. Therefore, individuals carrying one copy of the AROA gene will not display symptoms. A maternally inherited form of optic atrophy known as Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) primarily affects men and is leading to blindness from the ages of 20 to 30 years of age [2]. The etiology of LHON is not well established and is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some patients with LHON may regain sight for unexplained reasons and LHON is linked to other neuropathies, such as Alzheimer disease, glaucoma and Parkinson's disease. Along with genetic factors, acquired factors include local inflammation, papilledema, increased local pressure (from a tumor, glaucoma or aneurysm), retinal disease, other neurological disorders, diabetes and hypoperfusion or injury of the optic nerve. Lifestyle choices including consuming high levels of alcohol and smoking are also associated with optic atrophy. Additionally, vitamin deficiency, specific blood pressure drugs and antibiotics have been shown to be linked to the development of optic atrophy.

Optic atrophy is degeneration of the optic nerve which causes impairment in vision (central, peripheral and color) and potentially blindness. The causes of optic atrophy include genetic, local and systemic factors that cause optic nerve damage such as inherited dominant or recessive gene mutations, injuries, infection, ischemia, tumors, poisons and hydrocephalus. This disease may begin at any age and is associated with symptoms that include blurry vision, impaired color and peripheral vision and decreased visual acuity. Diagnosis of optic atrophy can be achieved through eye exams, medical imaging procedures or nerve function tests. Patients with optic atrophy will display a pale white optic nerve instead of the classic pink appearance upon inspection with an ophthalmoscope. Other simple tests that can be done to verify optic atrophy include assessment of pupils, acuity, color vision and peripheral vision. In some cases, imaging studies, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are performed to verify location and extent of nerve damage. Currently, optic atrophy is an irreversible condition. Physicians will try to protect the optic nerve from further damage in order to prevent further impairment of vision. The type of treatment will depend on the cause of optic atrophy and aim at resolving the causative factors.

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