What Causes Optic Nerve Damage?

The optic nerve's a vital sensory tissue needed for vision. The optic nerve's a collection of nerve cells. These nerve cells are what projects images from the eyes to the brain. Without the optic nerve connecting the eyes to the brain, sight isn't possible.

What is Optic Nerve Damage?

Any damage or death to the tissue that composes the optic nerve can result in permanent loss of vision. Damage can occur to the optic nerve either functionally or structurally. When optic nerve damage occurs, the result can be temporary or permanent vision loss. Damage can occur because of diseases, injuries, and side effects of drugs.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a common cause of damage to the optic nerve. Diabetes is a condition where the body's incapable of correctly processing and using sugar. The body's incapable of metabolizing sugars properly, resulting in high levels of glucose within the blood. When left untreated for prolonged periods, blindness can result from damage to the optic nerve. Blurred vision usually occurs prior to complete vision loss in patients with diabetes.

Brain Tumor

A brain tumor's also a common cause of damage to the optic nerve. A brain tumor is characterized by abnormal growths on the tissues of the brain. There are numerous causes of brain tumors.

Depending on where the brain tumor is, pressure can be placed on the nerve restricting vision. Often, if this is the cause of the damage to the nerve, it can be treated by removing the tumor. Damage to the optic nerve can also occur from the treatments and medications needed to treat the brain tumor. Often, if this type of damage occurs to the optic nerve, it's not reversible.

Methanol Poisoning

Methanol poisoning can also cause damage to the optic nerve. Exposure to this chemical can produce a number of symptoms, including vision loss. Usually, severe eye irritation occurs and if left untreated it can lead to damage to the optic nerve and eyes. This is often permanent.

These are only a few of the causes of damage and injury to the optic nerve. The list of causes is basically endless. Home testing can not properly diagnose injuries or damage to the optic nerve. A physician is the only way to be properly diagnosed. If any injury to the eyes occurs or sudden vision changes occur, seek treatment immediately to reduce the risk of damage to the optic nerve from occurring.

References:

"Chemical Poisoning- methanol"

"Diabetes"

"Optic Neuritis"

MayoClinic.com

WrongDiagnosis.com