Optic nerve atrophy involves tissue death of the nerve that carries the information of vision from the eye to the brain.

There are many unrelated causes of optic atrophy. The most common cause is poor blood flow, called ischemic optic neuropathy, which most often affects the elderly. The optic nerve can also be damaged by shock, various toxic substances, radiation, and trauma.

Various eye diseases, most commonly glaucoma, can also cause optic nerve atrophy. In addition, the condition can be caused by diseases of the brain and central nervous system, such as cranial arteritis (sometimes called temporal arteritis), multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, and stroke.

There are also several rare forms of hereditary optic nerve atrophy that affect children and young adults.

Optic nerve atrophy causes dimming of vision and reduction of the field of vision. The ability to see fine detail will also be lost. The pupil reaction to light will diminish and may eventually be completely lost.

Optic nerve atrophy can be readily detected on complete examination of the eyes. Seeking the cause may require a complete physical examination and specific tests.