Eye
Orbit & optic nerve
Optic atrophy
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 February 2014
Last staff update: 28 December 2020
Copyright: 2004-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Optic atrophy [title] pathology
Cite this page: Pernick N. Optic atrophy. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/eyeorbitopticatrophy.html. Accessed April 20th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Loss of function of optic nerve with gliosis, loss of capillaries and loss of axonal tissue
- Due to damage from within the eye (optic neuritis, papilledema, glaucoma, retina-choroid lesions), to optic nerve or brain (trauma, tumor, demyelinating disorders, hydrocephalus) or congenital (Leber optic atrophy)
Gross description
- White, pale disc
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Loss of substance of optic nerve due to degeneration of myelin sheaths and axons
- Dura appears redundant due to loss of substance
- Gliosis within nerve
