Optic
Nerve
Hypoplasia
Dev.by Jennifer Auwaerter
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia is
when the optic nerve is not
fully developed, or is too
small. This is a congenital
abnormality.
The optic nerve is the nerve
that carries information from
the eyes to the brain to be
processed. If the ne3rve is
underdeveloped then the
information transferred is
not adequate, leading to poor
visual acuity.
Symptoms and
Characteristics
-Poor depth perception
-Difficult time perceiving
locations of people or objects
-Difficulties in spatial
awareness
-May be linked to pituitary
hormone deficiencies
-Personaility or behavior
problems may occour as a
result of the onset of visual
impairment.
Sometimes the lower or upper
half of the vision field is
compromised. Nystagmus, or
the involuntary jerking of the
eyes from side to side or top
to bottom, may present itself
in conjunction with Optic
Nerve Hypoplasia.
Currently there is no cure for
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia,
however, one is advised to
consult an ophthalmologist.
SOURCES:
American Association for
Pediatric Opthamalogy and
Strabismus, “Optic Nerve
Hypoplasia” http://www.
Aapos.org July 1, 2009
Cassin, Barbara, Melvin L.
Rubin, MD, Editor. “Optic
Nerve Hypoplasia,”
Dictionary of Eye Terminology
Fifth Edition. Triad
Publishing Co. Gainesville, FL.
2006. July 1, 2009.
Johnson, AT: Optic Nerve
Hypoplaasia: 51 Year Old
Woman Referred for
Consideration of Cataract
Surgery. Feb. 21, 2005 (cited
July 1, 2009); Available from
http://webeye.opth.uiowa.edu
/eyeforum/cases/case10.htm.
July 1, 2009
“Optic nerve Hypoplasia” by
Lisa Verderber, MD. Pedatric
Opthalamologist. Reprinted
from Sept/Oct. 1996 issue of
VIPS of Lousiville, KY
http://nfb.org/legact/fr/fr1/
optic.htm. July 1, 2009
Pediatric Visual Diagnosis
Fact Sheet. “Optic Nerve
Hypoplasia. “
http://www.blindbabies.org/f
actsheetonh.htm. July 1,
2009