Optic disc drusen: understanding an old problem from a new perspective.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Optic disc drusen (ODD) are acellular deposits in the optic nerve head, affecting up to 2.4% of the population.
• ODD pathogenesis may involve impaired axonal metabolism and a narrow scleral canal.
• While often asymptomatic, ODD frequently cause visual field defects and can lead to severe vision loss from complications like anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on the pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment strategies for optic disc drusen (ODD).
• To highlight the role of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in early ODD detection and research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review using the PUBMED database.
• Focus on pathogenesis, diagnostics, clinical disease-tracking, structure-function relationships, and treatment strategies for ODD.

Main Results:

• ODD can be difficult to diagnose in children, often mimicking papilledema.
• Calcification and enlargement of ODD during teenage years improve ophthalmoscopic visibility.
• High-resolution OCT enables detection of small, deeply located ODD, facilitating earlier diagnosis and research.

Conclusions:

• Early ODD detection is enhanced by OCT, improving research into underlying mechanisms.
• Despite no current treatments, understanding ODD pathogenesis is crucial for managing associated vision loss.
• Further research is needed to develop preventative or ameliorative strategies for ODD-related visual impairment.