Optic nerve drusen are small protein deposits that can cause vision problems. They affect about 1% of the population and are often detected during regular eye exams. There is no definitive treatment or prevention, but regular monitoring is recommended. In rare cases, laser therapy may be required.
Optic nerve drusen are small deposits of protein matter that accumulate in the optic disc. Also known as optic disc drusen or optic nerve head drusen, these protein pockets become calcified and can cause potential vision problems. The condition affects a very small number of people – about one percent of the population – and symptoms are extremely rare, even in individuals who have a heavy accumulation of drusen. In some very unusual cases, drusen has led to loss of vision.
Experts aren’t entirely sure how and why drusen develop. A commonly accepted theory is that mucopolysaccharides – a type of carbohydrate structure – and mucoproteins accumulate as a side effect of cellular metabolism. Many patients with optic nerve drusen have inherited the condition from a family member, although a genetic basis is not a prerequisite for developing drusen. They develop in both eyes more often than in just one eye.
In most cases, optic nerve drusen have no obvious problems and are only detected during a regular eye exam. Many ophthalmologists find that a patient with drusen accumulation has a slight aberration in lateral vision to such a minor extent that the patient is unaware of it. The severity of any side vision problems can be deduced from a closer examination, where the patient’s side vision is tested with special “field of vision” machines. If an ophthalmologist is unsure of the presence of optic nerve drusen, he or she may order a CT scan, optical ultrasound, or fundoscopy to get a more definitive diagnosis.
By its very nature, damage to the optic nerve is progressive. Although most patients with optic nerve drusen do not go blind, other conditions can develop over time. Some of the most frequently reported vision problems are severe blind spots, general weakness in the main line of vision, and other abnormalities in the visual field.
There is no definitive treatment for optic nerve drusen nor are there any preventative measures that can be taken to ensure they do not develop. An individual with drusen is commonly examined regularly by a doctor to assess the extent of the buildup or any further growth that may have occurred. Some doctors may prescribe eye drops that relieve intraocular strain and relieve pressure on the optic disc fibers. Some cases of optic nerve drusen may require laser therapy, although this type of treatment is rare.
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