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Optical Neuropathy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Optical neuropathy is a serious complication, occurring in 5% of patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy. It develops due to compression of the optic nerve or vessels feeding it at the apex of the orbit with edematous and enlarged rectus muscles. Such compression, even without combination with pronounced exophthalmos, can lead to severe and irreversible visual impairment.
[Symptoms of Optical Neuropathy
Optical neuropathy manifests itself as a violation of central vision. For the purpose of early recognition, patients are recommended a method of self-control: alternately covering their eyes, read while doing a small text and evaluate the intensity of colors, for example, on the TV screen.
- Visual acuity is usually reduced, but is reversible and is combined with a weakened reaction of the pupil to light, a deterioration in color and light perception.
- In the field of vision may appear central or paracentral scotoma, combined with the defeat of nerve fibers of the optic nerve. These symptoms with increased intraocular pressure can be taken as the primary open-angle glaucoma.
- Disk of the optic nerve. Usually a normal species, sometimes swollen and rarely atrophic.
You can not associate a decrease in vision with minor corneal complications without diagnosing optical neuropathy.
How to examine?
Treatment of optic neuropathy
It usually starts with an intravenous injection of methylprednisolone. If inefficiency is a decompression operation.