How early can optic atrophy be detected?

How early can optic atrophy be detected?

Signs and symptoms of optic atrophy type 1 include vision loss, difficulty distinguishing colors, and an abnormally pale appearance (pallor) of the optic nerve. The vision loss typically begins at age 4-6 years-old.

How is optic atrophy diagnosed?

Diagnosis and Tests If your ophthalmologist suspects optic atrophy, he or she will examine your eyes with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. The doctor will look at the optic disc, the point at the back of the eye where the optic nerve enters.

What triggers LHON?

LHON is caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA and it is strictly transmitted by maternal inheritance. The prevalence of visual loss from LHON is approximately 1:50,000 people.

How is optic nerve atrophy treated?

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for optic atrophy. Once the nerve fibers in the optic nerve are lost they never heal or grow back. However, early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying causes of optic atrophy can help prevent further damage from the disease.

What causes thinning of the optic nerve?

The problem most often affects older adults. The optic nerve can also be damaged by shock, toxins, radiation, and trauma. Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, can also cause a form of optic nerve atrophy. The condition can also be caused by diseases of the brain and central nervous system.

Why is LHON more common in males?

An analysis of X-inactivation also argues against X-linkage as the cause of sex-bias [4]. Furthermore, LHON typically has an earlier age of onset in males than females. Present evidence therefore suggests that males are more susceptible to the mitochondrial defects.

Is LHON curable?

As of now there is no cure for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. However, some people may recover some (not all) of their sight. This is rare with the 11,778 mutation but more likely with the 3,460 and 14,484 mutations.