Most commonly, optic atrophy simply occurs without a known or proven cause.
Possible causes of optic atrophy can range from trauma to systemic disorders. Some possible causes of optic atrophy include:
- Optic neuritis. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. It may be associated with eye pain worsened by eye movement. It is more common in young to middle-aged women. Some patients with optic neuritis may develop multiple sclerosis later on in life.
- Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. This is a disease of young men (late teens, early 20s), characterized by an onset over a few weeks of painless, severe, central visual loss in one eye, followed weeks or months later by the same process in the other eye. At first the optic disc may be slightly swollen, but eventually there is optic atrophy. The visual loss is generally permanent. This condition is hereditary. If a patient knows that Leber's runs in the family, genetic counseling should be considered.
- Toxic optic neuropathy. Nutritional deficiencies and poisons can be associated with gradual vision loss and optic atrophy, or with sudden vision loss and optic disc swelling. Toxic and nutritional optic neuropathies are uncommon in the United States, but took on epidemic proportions in Cuba in 1992-1993. The most common toxic optic neuropathy is known as tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, thought to be caused by exposure to cyanide from tobacco smoking, and by low levels of vitamin B12 because of poor nutrition and poor absorption associated with drinking alcohol. Other possible toxins included ethambutol, methyl alcohol (moonshine), ethylene glycol (antifreeze), cyanide, lead, and carbon monoxide. Certain medications have also been implicated. Nutritional optic neuropathy may be caused by deficiencies of protein, or of the B vitamins and folate, associated with starvation, malabsorption, or alcoholism.
- Glaucoma. Glaucoma may be caused by an increase of pressure inside the eye. This increased pressure may eventually affect the optic nerve if left untreated.
- Compressive optic neuropathy. This is the result of a tumor or other lesion putting pressure on the optic nerve. Another possible cause is enlargement of muscles involved in eye movement seen in hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease).
- Retinitis pigmentosa. This is a hereditary ocular disorder.
- Syphilis. Left untreated, this disease may result in optic atrophy.
Conventional Treatment:
Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for optic atrophy. Once the nerve fibers in the optic nerve are lost they never heal or grow back. Therefore, the best defense is an early diagnosis because if the cause can be found and corrected, further damage can be prevented.
Complementary Treatment:
Shopping Tips
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On a tight budget?
Here's our single most important recommendation:
Doctor's Choice:
Optic Nerve Formula -
Optic Nerve Formula helps protect the optic nerve from damage and helps improve circulation to the optic nerve and retina.
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Essential: Optic Nerve Formula -
Optic Nerve Formula helps protect the optic nerve from damage and helps improve circulation to the optic nerve and retina.
Essential: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula -
Dr. Grossman's whole food formula for retinal support and overall eye health.
Essential: Carlsons Super Omega-3 250 - 1000 mg gelcaps -
Omega-3 250 gelcaps 1,000mg per gelcap - Natural Lemon Flavor
Essential: Microcurrent Stimulation 100ile Purchase Option -
helps stimulate energy production (ATP) in the retina, improve circulation and reduce waste build-up.
Very Important: Viteyes Complete -
Viteyes Complete is the most comprehensive eye multivitamin available, and serves both as a multivitamin and an eye multivamin.
Very Important: Retinal Support - 2oz -
based on classic Kidney and Spleen Chinese medicine formulas to help support the retina by building blood, improving circulation, eliminating dampness, and strengthening overall energy.
Important: Fruits N Greens 180 gm -
180 gram organic formula loaded with fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Recommended Vitamins, Supplements, Herbs & Other Nutritional Products
Since we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:
- Reduce or eliminate drinking caffeine and sodas
- Avoid aspartame (labeled diet foods)
- Avoid man made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil, and especially margarines). Eating greater amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol appear to increase the risk of retinal problems
- Eliminate deep fat fried foods
- Avoid monosodium glutanate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24), and fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22).
- Limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine at night. Alcohol interferes with liver functions, reducing protective glutathione levels (Alcohol 1993;10;469-75).
- Eliminate smoking. Smoking among other things produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
- Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin such as Dr. Grossman's Whole Food Multivitamin and/or a good green drink such as Nanogreens.
- Limit the amount of medications (both prescription and non-prescription as much as possible. Make sure to work closely with your doctor.
- Exercise daily - do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
- Manage your emotional health Fear (fear of failure, responsibility, of being alone, of death, etc.) is at the root of many of life's problems, and is a major factor in many diseases. Take up the practice of meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in the woods or prayer on a daily basis.