The Optic Neuropathies - Sight Unseen

The toxic optic neuropathies.

As is common knowledge, there is an argument as to whether or not the toxic radical cyanide is an important aetiological agent responsible for the development of some of the conditions grouped under the term toxic amblyopia. There are arguments and counterarguments, and it would appear useful at this stage to state the evidence for and against cyanide as a cause of these conditions. The argumen...

Mitochondrial optic neuropathies.

AutoiMMune/inflAMMAtory optic neuropAthies

InTRoDUCTIon Inflammatory, demyelinating optic neuritis is one of the most common optic neuropathies in young adults. It occurs idiopathically, or in association with multiple sclerosis, and follows a typical course of progressing visual dysfunction often with pain for one – two weeks, followed by significant resolution over the next few weeks. Due to the characteristic presentation and frequen...

Inherited mitochondrial optic neuropathies

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA) are the two most common inherited optic neuropathies and they result in significant visual morbidity among young adults. Both disorders are the result of mitochondrial dysfunction: LHON from primary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations affecting the respiratory chain complexes; and the majority of DOA families ha...

Traumatic Optic Neuropathies

Optic nerve injuries are classically divided into direct and indirect injuries. Direct injuries are open injuries where an external object penetrates the tissues to impact the optic nerve. Indirect optic nerve injuries occur when the force of collision is imparted into the skull and this energy is absorbed by the optic nerve. The prognostic value in knowing that an injury was direct or indirect...