The optic nerve is formed by approximately one million nerve fibers. These nerve fibers are grouped into bundles and meet about 10 to 15 millimeters behind the eyeball with the central artery of the retina and the vein. Together, the vessels then move forward in the interior of the nerves to the optic nerve head (papilla) and then through a nearly round hole in the bony orbit of the eye into the interior of the skull.
In the history of development, the optic nerve is originally a part of the brain and therefore, like the brain itself, surrounded by cranial nerves and cerebrospinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid).
- If accidents, such as a fall on the forehead and temple, cause the optic nerve and the vessels supplying it to be pulled or the bony optic nerve canal is broken, the optic nerve recedes (traumatic optic nerve atrophy, traumatic optic atrophy).
- Cancerous tumors in the middle fossa of the skull often cause damage to the optic nerve because the tumor presses on the optic nerve.
- The so-called secondary optic atrophy describes the loss of the optic nerve after an optic nerve inflammation.
- In rare cases, the disease of the optic nerve is congenital (inherited optic atrophy).
- The so-called glaucomatous optic atrophy is caused by glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma).
Optic nerve atrophy can be prevented by early diagnosis of tumors and by avoiding accidents. It is also important to detect increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma) in good time through regular intraocular pressure measurements by the ophthalmologist.
Blindness due to glaucoma can thus be prevented as far as possible. There are no known preventive measures against hereditary diseases that damage the optic nerve.
