pale eye nerve

[kazza123]

My 7yr old son had an eye test a couple of months ago as he has a "lazy eye" & they checked the backs of the eyes & said the verves in both eyes looked slightly pale & wanted an MRI scan done of the brain & orbits.  We took him private as we were sick with worry & thankfully the results come back clear.  They have since then checked the pressures in both eyes which again were fine.  We have now been left in limbo & do know what is causing this or could it just be something he was born with & nothing to worry about?

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

Good luck
JCH MD

[kazza123]

Thank you for you help, I have chased the consultant for another appointment so hopefully I can get an answer for my son.  I hope it isnt anything too serious & at least he has had the MRI scan which rules out alot of really serious issue's.

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

Amblyopia or poor vision in one eye is caused by the eyes not being straight or one eye being much more myopic/astigmatic/hyperopic than the other. The incidence is one in 50 children but in families where someone has amblyopia the risk is one in 5.

Amblyopia like described above is NOT associated with pale optic nerves.

JCH MD

[kazza123]

Could it be that it is something that could run in the family then? The consultant said he would like to see my husband to see if he has the same problem as he had a lazy eye as a child & the same as my son perfect vision in one eye but poor in the other. If thats the case coule it then be nothing to worry about?  

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

I really can't answer that question based on the information your present. Ask your private consultant for the specific answer for your son.

Remember those problems run in families if you have other children have them checked for same problems.

JCH MD