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Sarcoid optic disc edema and optociliary shunts.
Journal of Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology
|March 1, 1986
Summary
Optociliary shunts in optic nerve sarcoidosis may not indicate poor vision. This case study and literature review suggest a potentially better visual prognosis than previously thought for this rare condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease that can affect the optic nerve.
- Optic nerve sarcoidosis can lead to optic disc edema and visual impairment.
- Optociliary veins/shunts are vascular anomalies sometimes associated with optic nerve pathologies.
Observation:
- A patient presented with sarcoid granulomatous optic disc edema and optociliary shunts.
- The patient maintained normal visual acuity.
- Orbit computed tomography (CT) studies were negative for orbital involvement.
Findings:
- A literature review identified four previous cases of optociliary veins linked to sarcoid optic neuropathy.
- All previously reported patients with this association had significantly poor vision.
- This case suggests optociliary shunts may not always predict a poor visual outcome in optic nerve sarcoidosis.
Implications:
- Optociliary shunts in the context of optic nerve sarcoidosis might not be an indicator of severe visual loss.
- This finding could alter the prognostic assessment for patients with sarcoidosis affecting the optic nerve.
- Further research is warranted to understand the variable visual prognoses in sarcoid optic neuropathy with vascular anomalies.