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Optic Atrophy

Jonathan C. Tsui, MD and Clare W Teng, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Optic atrophy (OA) refers to the irreversible loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) axons that comprise the optic nerve

  • Clinically presents with variable visual dysfunction, which may ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Family history of visual loss

  • History of visual loss (i.e., acute, progressive)

    • Bilateral; can be synchronous or metachronous.

    • In primary optic atrophies, often the only clinical feature

  • ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Optic nerve damage may be reversible; early detection and treatment is critical.

  • Correction of an underlying nutritional deficiency or discontinuation of the causative drug ma...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Progressive OA may require more frequent follow-up and in-depth evaluation of potential etiologies of OA. 

Patient Monitoring

Annual evaluations, if stable. Neuro-o...

REFERENCES

1
Mascialino  B, Leinonen  M, Meier  T. Meta-analysis of the prevalence of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy mtDNA mutations in Europe. Eur J Ophthalmol.  2012;2...

CODES

ICD10

  • H47.20 Unspecified optic atrophy

  • H47.22 Hereditary optic atrophy

  • H47.219 Primary optic atrophy, unspecified eye

  • H47.299 Other optic atrophy, unspecified eye

  • H47.239 Glaucomatous optic atrophy, ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • OA is an ophthalmoscopic sign and not an etiologic diagnosis. It is characterized by a pale optic disc on funduscopic exam associated with clinical evidence for OA.

  • Symptoms of OA may i...

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