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buldge on optic nerve
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allmykidshavepaws posted:
My optician is refering me to a specialist because of a buldge pushing in on my left optic nerve. What causes this and what can be done to fix this?
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:buldge on optic nerveMy optician is refering me to a specialist because of a buldge pushing in on my left optic nerve. What causes this and what can be done to fix this?
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Alan M Kozarsky, MD responded:
Please give us a bit more information. I am somewhat confused because opticians (dispense eyeglasses) don't examine the eye or optic nerve. A "bulge" in the optic nerve as discovered by an optometrist or ophthalmologist could be an internal finding in the eyeball itself or something suspected along the optic nerve which runs between the back of each eye to the brain.

There are so many possibilities based upon "bulge" in optic nerve that its hard to explore even the more likely ones.
Report This| Share this:buldge on optic nervePlease give us a bit more information. I am somewhat confused because opticians (dispense eyeglasses) don't examine the eye or optic nerve. A "bulge" in the optic nerve as discovered by an optometrist or ophthalmologist could be an internal finding in the eyeball itself or something suspected along the optic nerve which runs between the back of each eye to the brain. <br /><br />There are so many possibilities based upon "bulge" in optic nerve that its hard to explore even the more likely ones.
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allmykidshavepaws replied to Alan M Kozarsky, MD's response:
Because of my insurance (Medicade), I had to go to the last "eye" dr. I had seen when I developed a dark spot in my vision. He now says that what I have is ischemic optic nueropathy, and it should resolve itself over time. He did a complete eye exam with dialation.
Report This| Share this:buldge on optic nerveBecause of my insurance (Medicade), I had to go to the last "eye" dr. I had seen when I developed a dark spot in my vision. He now says that what I have is ischemic optic nueropathy, and it should resolve itself over time. He did a complete eye exam with dialation.
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Alan M Kozarsky, MD replied to allmykidshavepaws's response:
Ischemic optic neuropathy is a condition in which there is decreased circulation to the nerve supplying vision to the eye. We usually get reasonably concerned when someone has this condition which usually shows itself as sudden blurred vision.
Of major importance is making sure the circulation problem to the nerve is not from inflammation because if it is, high dose oral or intravenous steroid treatment is urgently needed.

The vision problems which happen after ischemic optic neuropathy do not generally "resolve over time".

Whether misunderstanding or misdiagnosis, I am concerned that such potentially serious diagnoses are being spoken about so casually. So many doctors including ophthalmologists and neuro-ophthalmologists accept Medicaid patients. If your primary care doctor is required to refer you to an ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist, just tell him or her that your current eye doctor told you that you have ischemic optic neuropathy and that he said that it "resolves itself over time".
Report This| Share this:buldge on optic nerveIschemic optic neuropathy is a condition in which there is decreased circulation to the nerve supplying vision to the eye. We usually get reasonably concerned when someone has this condition which usually shows itself as sudden blurred vision. <br />Of major importance is making sure the circulation problem to the nerve is not from inflammation because if it is, high dose oral or intravenous steroid treatment is urgently needed. <br /><br />The vision problems which happen after ischemic optic neuropathy do not generally "resolve over time". <br /><br />Whether misunderstanding or misdiagnosis, I am concerned that such potentially serious diagnoses are being spoken about so casually. So many doctors including ophthalmologists and neuro-ophthalmologists accept Medicaid patients. If your primary care doctor is required to refer you to an ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist, just tell him or her that your current eye doctor told you that you have ischemic optic neuropathy and that he said that it "resolves itself over time".
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