What is the optic nerve?
It is responsible for sending the signals received by the eye to the brain. It is one of the main parts of the eye whose function is to ensure vision and has a total length of approximately 5 centimeters.
If the optic nerve is damaged, the brain will stop receiving information due to the absence of visual stimuli.
Since nerve tissue does not regenerate, the death of optic nerve fibers will result in irreversible loss of vision.
Why can it be damaged?
Glaucoma is a disease that alters the function of the optic nerve, which can lead to loss of vision.
This disease occurs when the pressure of the liquid inside the eye rises until it damages the optic nerve.
What are the symptoms?
Lesions of the optic nerve are characterized by:
- Loss of vision, total or partial.
- Loss of peripheral vision.
- Ocular pain.
- Decreased brightness in the environment.
Diagnosis
There are several diagnostic tests that are performed to evaluate a possible alteration of the optic nerve.
The most commonly used are:
- Optical Coherence Tomography. This test explores in detail the retina of the ocular macula and the optic nerve.
- Ophthalmoscopy. It consists of illuminating the inside of the eye to examine the back of the eye.
- Capimetry. In this case the visual capacity is analyzed. It is a diagnostic test widely used to detect pathologies such as glaucoma.
- Visual acuity. Visual acuity is analyzed for distance and near vision.
Treatment of optic nerve lesions
First of all, it will be necessary for the specialist to assess the severity of the injury, only then will it be possible to advise a treatment according to the patient’s needs.
Once this is done, the most effective treatment for each case will be assessed.
It should be remembered that despite the treatment of certain disorders, some of them will not allow vision to be restored. In some cases, the treatment may even reveal the loss of vision that the patient may be suffering from.
It is recommended to visit a specialist and perform the necessary diagnostic tests for the early detection of any disease.
Which specialist treats you?
The ophthalmology specialist is in charge of evaluating, diagnosing and treating eye diseases.