Rapidly Progressing Visual Loss Associated with Optic Nerve Head Drusen: Is there A Role For Lowering Intraocular Pressure?
Journal Title: Journal of Ophthalmic Science - Year 2015, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Optic nerve head drusen are acellular hyaline deposits located anterior to the lamina cribrosa, frequently associated with visual field defects. Sometimes rapid worsening of vision may occur due to complications such as acute vascular events, choroidal neovascularization, or serous maculopathy. Case Presentation: Although there are no proven treatments for Optic nerve head drusen associated field loss, we present the case of a patient with Optic nerve head drusen and bilateral rapid progression of visual field loss that has stabilized on intraocular pressure lowering medication. This suggests a role for IOP-mediated retinal ganglion cell loss in this individual. The mechanism of progressive Optic nerve head drusen associated field loss is poorly understood, however experimental glaucoma models and human in vivo imaging studies have shown that structural differences within the optic nerve head are likely to contribute to individual susceptibility to IOP-mediated damage. Conclusion: We propose that eyes with Optic nerve head drusen may be less able to dampen IOP mediated stress, contributing to loss of retinal ganglion cells in some patients.
Authors and Affiliations
Karim El-Assal, Andrew J. Tatham
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP326606
- DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-15-763
- Views 102
- Downloads 0
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
A 66 year old Chinese male with a medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hepatitis B carrier was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in 2009. He underwent treatment with selective internal radiation...
Rapidly Progressing Visual Loss Associated with Optic Nerve Head Drusen: Is there A Role For Lowering Intraocular Pressure?
Background: Optic nerve head drusen are acellular hyaline deposits located anterior to the lamina cribrosa, frequently associated with visual field defects. Sometimes rapid worsening of vision may occur due to complicat...
Perception Threshold Variations of Pain Area with Herpetic Ophthalmic Neuralgia
Background: To measure the affected subepidermal nerve sensation with a combination of current perception threshold (CPT) and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) testing under pain areas with herpetic ophthalmic neuralg...
Recurrent branch retinal arterial occlusions associated with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mutation
A 57-year-old Hispanic female presented with 3 days of blurry vision in the left eye. Eight years prior, she had a branch retinal artery occlusion in the right eye and a hematologic work-up revealed a 4G/4G polymorphism...
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion in Factor V Leiden Mutation
A previously healthy 25 year old Chinese male presented with left eye blurring of vision and was diagnosed to have left eye branch retinal vein occlusion. Initial blood investigations and thrombophilia screen were negati...