Is it possible to eliminate partial atrophy of the nerve of the eye?

The optic nerve of a person is an important part of the vision apparatus. He is responsible for transmitting information about the resulting image to the brain. Its partial or complete atrophy can cause a sharp decrease in the quality of vision, or completely prevent the possibility of seeing in severe stages. Therefore, it is very important to identify the problem at the first stages and begin to eliminate it in time.

Definition of disease

The optic nerve is a collection of nerve fibers of the eye that transmits converted light from the eye to the brain.To a large extent, the integrity and health of the fibers ensure proper visual acuity, and even the slightest injuries and damages, in turn, can seriously worsen it.

Atrophy of the nerve is a fiber-destroying change with tissue death. As a result, impulses are not transmitted properly and the quality of vision is significantly reduced.

Eyeball in this pathology does not always give signs of myopia, hyperopia and other diseases. Therefore wearing contact lenses and glasses in this case can not provide a significant correction.

Kinds

Atrophy of the optic nerve is complete and partial.Full suggests a high probability of reducing visual acuity up to complete blindness. At partial - it decreases to a certain extent and can be maintained at a given level.

There are also two types of degradation:

• Ascendant- occurs in the area near the eye;
• Descending- before entering the brain.

In addition, the pathology can have an innate form, obtained by the child due to damage or malformations in the womb of the mother.

If violations of this type are detected, treatment should be started immediately, since it can be effective only in the early stages of development.

Causes

Among the main causes of disruption of the optic nerve are other diseases that cause complications. The most common of these are:

• Glaucoma;
• Diseases of an inflammatory nature;
• Tumors;

• Visual impairment (myopia);
• Retinal lesions of the eye;
• Infectious diseases (including the brain);
• Disorders of the cardiovascular system;

• Trauma and mechanical damage to the organs of vision or the brain;
• Hereditary factors;
• Diseases of the central nervous system;
• Poisoning, intoxication;
• Benign and malignant tumors of the visual apparatus and brain.

In the presence of one of the listed disorders it is necessary to take preventive measures from an ophthalmologist in order to avoid atrophy.

Symptoms

One of the most pronounced signs of partial atrophy is a rapid decrease in visual acuity. However, along with this, the patient can also feel the effect of the following symptoms:

• Pain when trying to move the eyeballs;
• Displacement and reduction of visual fields, loss of peripheral vision;
• The appearance of blind areas;
• Violations associated with the perception of different colors.

Not all listed signs are present in this disease without fail. However, the coincidence of at least two of them with a high degree of probability may indicate it.

Possible complications

Disease in neglected form can lead to complete blindness, even if it involves partial tissue degradation.It is also important to pay attention to the causes of its occurrence, since they are also able to give complications along with atrophy. The earlier the therapy is started, the less likely the development of severe consequences.

Diagnostics

The analysis of symptoms and diagnosis of the disease usually does not present great difficulties, but requires an integrated approach. This is necessary in order to identify possible causes and eliminate them in time, as well as to exclude the possibility of developing other diseases of the visual organs. Usually it includes:

• Visometry(checking for sharpness);
• Ophthalmoscopy(study of the fundus, capillaries, nerve fibers);
• Spheroperimetry(research and designation of available visual fields);
• Tonometry(measuring the pressure of the aqueous humor).

  Carrying out Visometry

Also, visual inspection and examination using computer technology are used. In addition, in some cases, data obtained as a result of medical examinations from specialists from other areas may be needed.

Treatment

Usually treatment gives positive results with partial atrophy.However, with his help to restore the sight completely impossible. The main task in this case is to stop the progressive degradation of tissues and fibers, and, subsequently, to reduce acuity.

Medication

Drugs can play a big role in the therapy of pathology. As a rule, in this case, ophthalmologists prescribe to their patients the following categories of medicines:

• Drugs that dilate blood vessels(Dibazol, Papaverin). Necessary to restore normal circulation.
• Improving metabolism(Pyrogenal). They promote the resorption and elimination of pathological processes.
• Stimulating restoration of tissues and fibers(vitamins, peat, ginseng).

  Dibazol - a vasodilator drug

Surgically

In the advanced stages of complete or partial nerve degeneration, two types of surgical operations are used:

1. Transplantation of tissues. In this case, transplantation of a healthy human tissue with good capillaries to the site of affected areas is performed. As a result, metabolism and blood circulation improve.
2. Reducing the outflow of blood in healthy tissue.The purpose of this operation is the redistribution of blood supply. Some healthy vessels overlap, resulting in blood flowing to the affected tissue sites.

As additional therapy are used and hardware methods of treatment:

• Magnetic stimulation.With the help of a special device that forms a magnetic field, blood supply, oxygen transfer and tissue nutrition are improved.
• Oxygen therapy.The method is directed directly at improving metabolic processes and feeding with oxygen.
• Electrophoresis. The method involves expanding the vessels in order to improve metabolism, while using a current of small force.
• Laser Therapy. Uses laser beams to stimulate the work of affected areas.
• Ultrasound.It is used to improve blood flow.

  Magnetic stimulation of the eyes

Therapy of nerve destruction should be carried out in conjunction with the treatment of diseases that caused it. Only in this case it is possible to achieve a stable positive result.

Prevention

Methods of preventing the onset of partial atrophy of the optic nerve can be effective only for the acquired form of the disease.For this, it is usually recommended to undergo treatment of pathologies-prerequisites for the destruction of nerve fibers in a timely manner. In addition, it is important to use the following rules:

• Do not overstress the visual apparatus;
• The eyes must be provided with timely rest and sleep;
• Hygiene procedures will help to avoid inflammatory processes;
• The food should be balanced.

An hereditary factor should stimulate a person to closely monitor their health. In turn, avoiding the congenital form of pathology will help to maintain a healthy regime of pregnant women.

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conclusions

Partial atrophy of the optic nerve (as well as full) is a dangerous disease for the eye, as it can seriously reduce visual acuity or completely deprive it.Therefore, the anomalies of nerve tissues and fibers require timely intervention, which is able to stop degradation. At the same time, self-medication is unacceptable, and only a qualified doctor can choose the method of therapy.