Small optic nerve opening????

[Lucy08]

I took my son to the eye dr. today for a checkup.  We went last year when his teacher was noticing a problem with him seeing the board.  This is when he got his first pair of glasses.  He is only in second grade.  I was told that my son's optic nerve opening is small at this visit, not at the one last year.  It appears that something could be pressing on it, or congesting the opening.  OR it could just be something he was born with and nothing at all to worry about.  Of course I'm thinking worst case scenario: brain tumor pressing on the optic nerve opening.  We have an appt to see a retinal specialist in two weeks.  Can you please tell me how likely it would be that my son just has a hereditary condtion- nothing to worry about?  How likely is something like this to happen and be caused by a tumor?  What other signs and symptoms should I be looking for?

THanks.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

_____________________________

[Lucy08]

The office that I took my son to yesterday called me back today and wanted me to bring my sons glasses in.  The dr. received his paperwork today from the eye dr he saw last year which showed that they, last year, were able to get his vision at 20/20 with glasses, while the dr who saw him yesterday said he was only able to get it at 20/40 with his glasses.  SO this is his concern- his vision has gotten progressively worse over the last year.

My dad and my sister both have major eye problems and have since they were my sons age.  Nothing that they can remember is the same as what this dr is talking about.  My dad was considered legallly blind without his glasses on.  He was also told that he was not a candidate for lasix eye surgery bc his astigmatism was so extensive.  However, about 5 years ago he received the surgery without any complication and now needs no corrective lenses.  My sister however still struggles with her vision and currently wears contacts.

Anyway, i'm just hoping that this is all just something that is hereditary and will cause no real harm or danger to my son.  I called the retinal specialist today and was able to get an earlier appt.  which is on the 31st.  I will keep you posted.  Thanks for your time and comments

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Amen.

JCH III MD

[Lucy08]

Thanks for the info.  We saw an opthamologist today.  I will be sure to update on what's going on.  Please, all of you who believe in the power of prayer, pray for my son- that this turns out to be absolutely nothing.

Thanks!!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The condition is unusual.  It could be that the optic nerve is smaller than it should be. This is called optic nerve hypoplasia. There are other things that might cause it but at this point it would be just speculation.

Was the "eye doctor" that referred him to a retina specialist an Eye MD physician (ophthalmologist) or a limited scope, non-physician eye care provider? (optometrist).

If the latter it could be just failure to recognize a variation of normal.

You mind can only be put at ease after the retina ophthalmologist examines the patient but the odds are on your side that it is not due to a tumor.

Please give us some follow up if you would. Hope this turns out well.

JCH III MD