Hereditary optic neuropathies are a group of disorders that affect the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. They occur due to genetic defects that impact the development or function of the optic nerve, causing permanent damage and vision loss.
General Symptoms:
- Central vision loss affects direct vision in front of the eyes.
- Visió Blurred vision.
- Difficulty in distinguishing colors.
- In some cases, there may be peripheral vision loss (side vision) or night blindness.
Characteristics:
- Usually bilateral: it affects both eyes, although vision loss may be more severe in one eye than the other.
- It can be stationary or progressive: vision loss may not worsen over time or may deteriorate gradually.
- No cure: damage to the optic nerve is irreversible, but in some cases, there may be treatments to slow the progression of the disease or improve the patient’s quality of life.
Types of Hereditary Optic Neuropathies:
- Leber’s Optic Neuropathy: This primarily affects men between the ages of 15 and 35. It is characterized by rapid and painless central vision loss in one eye, followed by involvement of the second eye weeks or months later. In some cases, there may be some recovery of vision over time.
- Dominant Optic Atrophy: This is considered the most common hereditary optic neuropathy. It affects individuals of all ages, but vision loss typically begins in childhood or youth. The disease progresses slowly, and spontaneous improvement in vision has not been observed.
- Other Hereditary Optic Neuropathies: There are many other less common hereditary optic neuropathies, each with its own characteristics and symptoms.
