optic disc atrophy

Etiology

• optic neuritis (younger patients)
• ischemic optic neuropathy* (elderly)
  • giant cell arteritis

* optic nerve stroke

Pathology

• damage to the nerve fiber layer of the retina, optic nerve, optic chiasm, or optic tracts

Diagnostic procedures

• ophthalmoscopy
  • pallor & flatness of the optic disc*

* with progressive loss of nerve fibers, the optic disc becomes pale

• yellow vs pink with a normal optic disc

* with extensive damage, the optic disc becomes white

• partial circumferential deposits of brown stuff shown but not explained or even mentioned (case report)

More general terms

• retinal disease
• atrophy

Additional terms

• optic disk, discus nervi opitci, Mariotte's blind spot, optic papilla or porus opticus