Optic Dmg
VMD, DACVO, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida Optic neuritis may be divided into papillitis (an inflamed optic nerve head visible with an ophthalmoscope) and retrobulbar optic neuritis, which includes mydriasis, absence of pupillary. The optic nerve is a large cable composed of ganglion cell axons, which acts as a viaduct conducting visual information from the retina to the brain. Several diseases, such as glaucoma, can damage the optic nerve and cause permanent blindness. Optic nerve regeneration restores damaged axons in the optic nerve so that vision returns. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. Causes include infections and immune-related illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. Sometimes the cause is unknown. Optic nerve atrophy is damage to the optic nerve. Causes include poor blood flow to the eye, disease, trauma, or exposure to toxic substances.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve.
Fluid pressure in the eye builds up and causes damage to the optic nerve fibers over time.
Glaucoma can cause blindness if it is left untreated. Only about half of the estimated three million Americans who have glaucoma are even aware that they have the condition. Glaucoma develops with few, if any, early symptoms and progresses slowly. In this way, glaucoma can steal your sight very gradually. Fortunately, early detection and treatment (with glaucoma eye drops, glaucoma surgery or both) can help preserve your vision.