The optic nerve head in acquired optic neuropathies.
Acquired optic neuropathies are a common cause of blindness in adults, and are associated with characteristic morphological changes at the optic nerve head. Accurate and prompt clinical diagnosis, supplemented with imaging where appropriate, is essential to optimize management of the optic neuropathy and to counsel the patient appropriately on its natural history. History taking, optic disc findings, visual field assessment and imaging of the nerve head and surrounding retinal nerve fiber layer are all paramount to achieving the correct diagnosis. This Review highlights the optic nerve head features that are common to the acquired optic neuropathies, and describes the features that can be used to differentiate these various conditions.
O'Neill
Evelyn C
EC
Center for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, Vic 3002, Australia. evelynoneill@yahoo.com
Danesh-Meyer
Helen V
HV
Connell
Paul P
PP
Trounce
Ian A
IA
Coote
Michael A
MA
Mackey
David A
DA
Crowston
Jonathan G
JG
D006801:Humans; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000473:pathology*