The Funny Looking Optic Nerve

9/3/2014
The “Funny-looking”
Optic Nerve—How to Distinguish
Glaucoma Damage from Other
Optic Nerve Anomalies
Bruce E. Prum, Jr., MD
Associate Professor
Dept. of Ophthalmology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
THE NORMAL OPTIC DISC
THE NORMAL OPTIC DISC
Characteristics of a Normal Optic
Disc
Vertical Disc Diameter
– African-Americans 1.81 mm
– Caucasians 1.69 mm
– Male = Female
Optic disc area: 1.5-3.00 mm2
Neuroretinal Rim Area: 1.6-3.05 mm2
Br J Ophthalmol 2003; Ophthalmology. 2000
THE NORMAL OPTIC DISC
THE NORMAL OPTIC DISC
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DEPTH OF PHYSIOLOGIC CUP
Depends on
– Genetic factors
– Degree of reabsorption of tissue of
Bergmeister’s papilla
– Size of scleral canal
LARGE PHYSIOLOGIC CUPS
Large disc size: large cups
Larger disc leads to a larger neuroretinal
rim area in African Americans
Arch Ophthalmol. 2004;122:22-28.
LARGE PHYSIOLOGIC CUPS
MYELINATED NERVE FIBERS
25% discs have small
disc diameter (1.1-1.3
mm)
25% have large disc
diameter(1.8-2mm)
Blue Mountain Eye Study, BJO 2004
MYELINATED NERVE FIBERS
Normal VF and Va
MYELINATED NERVE FIBERS
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OPTIC ATROPHY FROM MS
OPTIC ATROPHY FROM MS
OPTIC ATROPHY FROM MS
OPTIC ATROPHY FROM MS
OPTIC ATROPHY FROM MS
OPTIC ATROPHY FROM MS
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TILTED DISC WITH INFERIOR
CONUS
Affects 1-2% of the
population
75% bilateral
TILTED DISC WITH INFERIOR
CONUS
•Normal VA
•Myopic astigmatism
•Visual field defect
TILTED DISCS -10 D MYOPE
TILTED DISC WITH INFERIOR
CONUS
Oblique insertion of
optic nerve in
scleral canal
Long axis tilted
and/or rotated
Inferior crescent/
peripapillary
atrophy
Localized posterior
staphyloma
TILTED DISCS -10 D MYOPE
Larger disc
Often tilted temporally
Shallow cup
Cup shows concentric enlargement
Temporal crescent present
TILTED DISCS -10 D MYOPE
Larger disc
Often tilted temporally
Shallow cup
Cup shows concentric enlargement
Temporal crescent present
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TILTED DISCS -10 D MYOPE
MYOPIA -5/-4: POAG OD/GS OS
MYOPIA -5/-4: POAG OD/GS OS
MYOPIA -5/-4: POAG OD/GS OS
MYOPIA -5/-4: POAG OD/GS OS
OPTIC DISC COLOBOMA
•Large disc
•Partial/complete excavation
•Blood vessels at border
•Glistening white surface
•Peripapillary pigmentary changes
•VF defects can mimic glaucoma-typically non-progressive
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OPTIC DISC COLOBOMA
•Large disc
•Partial/complete excavation
•Blood vessels at border
•Glistening white surface
•Peripapillary pigmentary changes
•VF defects can mimic glaucoma-typically non-progressive
OPTIC DISC COLOBOMA
•Large disc
•Partial/complete excavation
•Blood vessels at border
•Glistening white surface
•Peripapillary pigmentary changes
•VF defects can mimic glaucoma-typically non-progressive
OPTIC DISC COLOBOMA
OPTIC DISC COLOBOMA
OPTIC DISC COLOBOMA
RETINAL COLBOMA AND
OPTIC DISC PIT
•Localized pale depression
•85% unilateral
•>50% temporal, 1/3 central
•Usually single, may see 2 or 3
•Optic disc larger on side of pit
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RETINAL COLBOMA AND
OPTIC DISC PIT
RETINAL COLBOMA AND
OPTIC DISC PIT
•Can mimic a notch in the disc rim
•Visual field defect may be present
•Good VA unless serous retinal detachment
RETINAL COLBOMA AND
OPTIC DISC PIT
RETINAL COLBOMA AND
OPTIC DISC PIT
OPTIC DISC DRUSEN OU
OPTIC DISC DRUSEN OU
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OPTIC DISC DRUSEN OU
OPTIC DISC DRUSEN OU
OPTIC DISC DRUSEN OU
OPTIC DISC DRUSEN OU
OPTIC DISC DRUSEN OU
SUMMARY
Enlarged discs and cups can be challenging
There is no substitute for a careful clinical
exam, with photographic documentation
“A picture is worth a thousand words or
drawings!” so always get a photo!
Often the OCT RNFL will be misleading,
especially in high myopia
But, follow the OCT RNFL for change
Consider all clinical ocular and systemic data
in your assessment, eg. in multiple sclerosis
and hereditary optic neuropathies
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