Is your eyesight gradually deteriorating? Let's learn about Optic Atrophy

Do you sometimes feel like you can't see as clearly as you used to, that things are a little blurry? Or do the colors you used to see beautifully now seem a little dull and dark? Don't dismiss these things as "this is what happens when you get older." Because these can be early signs of a serious condition that can affect your eyesight. Today we are going to talk about such a serious condition, but one that we all need to be aware of. That is Optic Atrophy.

Simply put, what is Optic Atrophy?

Think of our eyes as a camera. There is a special "cable" that sends what the camera sees, that is, images, to the brain. In medicine, this cable is called the optic nerve . The fine wires (nerve fibers) inside this cable carry the information seen by the eye to the brain.

Now, the word Atrophy means "wasting away" or "deterioration." Optic Atrophy is the gradual death or damage of the fine fibers in the optic nerve. When these nerve fibers are damaged, information from the eye to the brain is not transmitted properly. The result is that our vision gradually weakens, eventually leading to blindness.

What are the symptoms of Optic Atrophy?

All of the symptoms of this condition are related to vision. You may experience things like:

• Blurred vision: It feels like you 're in a fog. This blurring may not be relieved by wearing glasses. The sharpness of your vision gradually decreases.
• Decreased peripheral vision: When you look straight ahead, you lose the ability to see things to the sides. It can feel like you're looking at the world through a tube.
• Difficulty recognizing colors: Colors become blurred. Colors, especially red and green, may appear dull, faded, and sometimes appear gray.
• Decreased vision: Things that were previously clear now seem dim.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, please don't ignore it. See an eye doctor as soon as possible.

Why does Optic Atrophy occur? What are the causes?

There is not one single cause of optic nerve damage, but many factors can affect it. Just like the electrical cable that comes into our house can be damaged by various things. Let's look at the main causes.

Can this be transmitted from one person to another?

No. Optic Atrophy is not a contagious disease. However, as we mentioned above, some contagious diseases (infections) can cause this condition. That is, if you get a disease like measles, mumps, chickenpox, or tuberculosis, it can damage the optic nerve as a complication.

How does the doctor diagnose this disease?

It's important to see an eye doctor as soon as you notice any changes in your vision. He or she will ask you about your symptoms, whether anyone in your family has had similar conditions, and what medications you are taking. Then, they will perform an eye exam.

• Eye exam: The doctor will use a special instrument (ophthalmoscope) to look at the optic disc, which is the root of the optic nerve. In optic atrophy, this area appears pale rather than pink. This is because the blood supply to the nerve is reduced.
• Other tests: Your doctor may refer you for further tests to determine the exact cause.
• Visual field tests: A test that measures how far you can see around you.
• MRI scan: To check for a brain tumor or other problem.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A special scan that measures the thickness of the optic nerve and retina.
• Blood tests: To detect things like infections or nutritional deficiencies.

Is there a treatment for this?

This is the most important thing we all need to understand. There is no treatment yet that can restore optic nerve cells that have already been damaged and atrophied. This means that Optic Atrophy cannot be reversed.

What needs to be done is to find the underlying cause of this condition and treat it.

• Suppose the cause is a brain tumor. When the tumor is surgically removed, the pressure on the nerve is relieved. Then further damage will stop.
• If the cause is glaucoma, medication is given to control the pressure in the eye.
• If the cause is an infection, antibiotics are given.
• If the cause is a nutritional deficiency, the necessary vitamins are provided.

Therefore, the sooner the cause is found, the better your chances of preserving any remaining vision.

Can't we prevent this situation?

Most of the time, we can't control the causes of Optic Atrophy. However, there are a few things we can do to reduce the risk.

• Eye protection: Wear safety glasses when doing dangerous work or playing sports.
• Preventing Infections: Get your required vaccinations on time and follow safe methods to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
• Healthy lifestyle: If you have diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, control them well. Eat a balanced diet.

When should I see a doctor?

In fact, it's a good habit to keep checking your eyes regularly , even if there's no problem. But if you notice anything like this, see a doctor immediately :

• Any change in vision: blurring, color changes, decreased peripheral vision.
• Sudden loss of vision or severe eye pain: This is an emergency. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.

Your eyesight is one of your most valuable assets. Don't take it for granted. Take care of it, even if it's a small change.

Optic Atrophy, optic nerve atrophy, vision loss, blurred vision, color blindness, Glaucoma, Optic Neuritis