Features

Optic nerve head pit

Disease
An optic nerve head pit is a congenital condition, but one that may be associated with degenerative complications. The pit develops as an anomalous outpouching of neuroectoderm, surrounded by a connective tissue capsule that communicates with the subarachnoid space.

This article is best viewed in a PDF Format.

View PDF

View PDF

 Get adobe

An optic nerve head pit is a congenital condition, but one that may be associated with degenerative complications. The pit develops as an anomalous outpouching of neuroectoderm, surrounded by a connective tissue capsule that communicates with the subarachnoid space.

Larger and more temporally located pits carry a substantial risk of non-rhegmatogenous serous retinal and macular detachment.

Symptoms

Optic nerve head pits are asymptomatic in the absence of macular retinal detachment. When this complication occurs - usually in the third or fourth decade - potential symptoms include metamorphopsia (distortion of objects), micropsia (objects appearing small) and blurred vision.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Optician Online. Register now to access up to 10 news and opinion articles a month.

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here

Related Articles