What does a pale optic disc indicate?

What does a pale optic disc indicate?

Optic atrophy is a sign and typically is noted as optic nerve pallor. This is the end stage of a process resulting in optic nerve damage. Because the optic nerve fiber layer is thinned or absent the disc margins appear sharp and the disc is pale, probably reflecting absence of small vessels in the disc head.

What color should the optic nerve be?

A normal optic nerve head (ONH) usually is round or oval, mildly elevated and pink in color, with a centralized depression known as the cup. The horizontal diameter of a typical optic nerve is approximately 1.5mm.

Why would your optic nerve be pale?

The most common tumors associated with a pale optic nerve are pituitary tumors, meningioma, and glioma. When the tumor involves the orbital portion of the optic nerve, the optic nerve is likely to be very congested and pale; there is usually no cupping because of the chronic congestive state.

Is a pale optic nerve serious?

The optic disc pallor may be diffuse or segmental (sectoral). Segmental pallor occurs if part of the blood supply to the optic nerve is occluded, and It will be associated with an appropriate altitudinal field defect. An important treatable cause of ischaemic optic neuropathy is giant cell arteritis (GCA).

How do I test my optic disc?

Begin at arm’s length. Begin at arm’s length by shining the ophthalmoscope light into the patient’s pupil (you will then see the red reflex). Follow this reflex until your forehead rests on your thumb—you should immediately see the optic disc.

What causes a pale retina?

It refers to pallor of the optic disc which results from irreversible damage to the retinal ganglion cells and axons. The axons of the retinal ganglion cells make up the optic nerve and continue onto the optic chiasm, optic tract and up to the lateral geniculate body before they synapse.

Can you see the optic nerve on an eye exam?

The optic nerve can be seen through an undilated pupil, but for optimum viewing a dilated pupil is required. This is important for the diagnosis of glaucoma, as well as other diseases of the optic nerve. Learn about what to expect during a glaucoma eye exam.

Is the optic disc called the blind spot?

Blind spot, small portion of the visual field of each eye that corresponds to the position of the optic disk (also known as the optic nerve head) within the retina. There are no photoreceptors (i.e., rods or cones) in the optic disk, and, therefore, there is no image detection in this area.

What is the fundus of the eye supposed to look like?

The media are clear, providing a crisp view of the fundus. The optic disc appears pink with sharp margins and a cup-to-disc ratio of approximately 0.35. The vasculature is normal in course and caliber. The striated sheen radiating outward from the disc is evidence of a healthy retinal nerve fiber layer.

What is another name for the optic disc?

Optic disc: The circular area in the back of the inside of the eye where the optic nerve connects to the retina. Also called the optic nerve head.

Why is there no visual perception in the optic disc?

There are no photoreceptors (i.e., rods or cones) in the optic disk, and, therefore, there is no image detection in this area. With both eyes open, the blind spots are not perceived because the visual fields of the two eyes overlap.