Clinical Specialties

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Clinical Specialties
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Compressive Optic Neuropathy

DEFINITION

Compressive optic neuropathy is the condition caused by something pressing on the optic nerve (the nerve that carries images from the eye to the brain where they are processed). Many things can compress the optic nerve including infection, swelling, trauma, and masses like cancer. Several minimally invasive endoscopic procedures offered for eye related diseases of the nose and sinuses. Patients with Graves' disease can often experience proptosis or bulging of the eyes. This cosmetic defect can be improved by minimally invasive endoscopic orbital decompression through the nose and sinuses. Other patient's may suffer from loss of vision due to pressure on the optic nerve due to a variety of reasons, some of which include trauma, sinus tumor, or sinus disease including abscess.

SYMPTOMS
Eye pain, bulging of the eye, redness of the eye, changes in vision

DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor will first take a history and perform a physical exam, especially focused on the eye and vision. Your doctor will want to check some blood tests including some cultures for bacteria and blood counts. Your doctor will also probably want to take pictures of the orbit with either a CT scan or MRI to determine the cause of your symptoms and locate the abscess or mass that may be pushing n the optic nerve and causing your symptoms.

TREATMENT
Your treatment will depend in part on the cause of the optic nerve compression. If you have an abscess you will need drainage as well as antibiotics. Your doctor may recommend steroids to decrease swelling and compression of the nerve. An Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor can also do a minimally invasive approach to the orbit to relieve the compression and try to restore vision. Abscesses or pockets of pus around the eye can often be drained through the nose, a natural opening for drainage.

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