Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026

An Optic Nerve Crush Injury Murine Model to Study Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival
Published on: April 25, 2011
Compression neuropathy caused by cancer metastasis to the optic nerve canal
Hiroshi Tamai1, Kazuyuki Ishida, Kensuke Murakami
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kesennuma City Hospital, 184 Tanaka, Kesennuma, Miyagi 988-0052, Japan. tamapiro@pk9.so-net.ne.jp.
Background:
Cancerous cells are known to metastasize to different ocular structures. This happens especially to the choroid in males with lung cancer and females with breast cancer. However, we observed two cases of cancerous metastasis to the optic canal region. Both cases showed only a progressive decrease in vision without any other remarkable ophthalmological symptoms or abnormalities in the affected eye.
Case Presentation:
Two females, a 60-year-old and a 73-year-old, came to our hospital because of progressive loss of vision. These patients showed no remarkable symptoms or signs in their eyes except visual acuity loss. Several ophthalmoscopic examinations, such as slit lamp microscopy and fundoscopy, showed no abnormal changes in their affected eye but magnetic resonance imaging indicated a massive legion around the optic nerve.
Conclusion:
It is possible for cancer to metastasize to the optic canal region and the existence of primary tumors should be considered.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Diabetic Neuropathy
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Glaucoma: Overview
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Diabetic Retinopathy

