Is optic nerve drusen serious?

Optic nerve drusen commonly cause mild side vision loss that can be detected by machines in the doctors office called “visual field” analyzers. The side vision loss is usually not appreciated by patients and not a functional concern. Rarely the drusen can cause severe, noticable side vision loss.

Can optic nerve damage affect both eyes?

Damage to an optic nerve can cause vision loss. The type of vision loss and how severe it is depends on where the damage occurs. It may affect one or both eyes.

What are eye Drusens?

Drusen are small, yellowish deposits of cellular debris that accumulate under the retina — the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye that’s essential to vision. Drusen occur in most people over age 60 and are more common in women than men.

Where are drusen found in the optic nerve?

In the Optic Nerve Head (ONHD) These are not even found in the retina. These are calcified and found within the optic nerve, but can be diagnosed when looking into the eye during a retinal examination. These drusen have nothing to do with macular degeneration.

Can a drusen in the retina affect peripheral vision?

In other words, the condition can affect what you’re able to see when you’re looking straight ahead. Drusen can also occur in the optic nerve. Unlike drusen in the retina, optic nerve drusen can cause minor loss of peripheral (side) vision. Optic nerve drusen are not related to aging. They’re more commonly seen in children.

Can a MRI be used to diagnose drusen?

In our study, MRI was not valuable in diagnosing drusen of the optic nerve head since no case revealed any changes in the region of the optic nerve head consistent with the diagnosis of drusen. We know of only one report describing an eye with drusen demonstrated by detection of optic disc transparency in the MRI.

When to see an ophthalmologist for soft drusen?

Because soft drusen are a sign of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), your ophthalmologist will follow the AMD treatment appropriate for you. Trying to eliminate the drusen will not improve your AMD. If you have optic nerve drusen without symptoms, you should be monitored regularly.