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Drusen of the optic disc
Byron L Lam1, Christopher G Morais, Joshua Pasol
1Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33136, USA. blam@med.miami.edu
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|August 21, 2008
Summary
Optic disc drusen are calcific deposits in the optic nerve head. While often asymptomatic, they can cause visual field loss and mimic papilledema, necessitating accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
Background:
- Optic disc drusen are acellular, calcific deposits within the optic nerve head.
- Their formation is linked to altered axoplasmic transport and axonal degeneration in crowded optic discs with abnormal vasculature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics, diagnosis, and potential complications of optic disc drusen.
- To emphasize the importance of differentiating optic disc drusen from true papilledema.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of optic disc drusen.
- Discussion of diagnostic methods, particularly B-scan echography.
- Analysis of clinical presentation and potential complications.
Main Results:
- Optic disc drusen vary in size and visibility, sometimes presenting as pseudopapilledema.
- B-scan echography is the most sensitive diagnostic tool.
- Complications include visual field loss and vascular events like anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of optic disc drusen is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis of papilledema and unnecessary investigations.
- Patients with visual field defects or loss require work-up to rule out other conditions.
- Currently, no effective treatment for optic disc drusen exists.
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