Optic nerve appearance

[daphne500]

Are some people  just born with large/abnornal looking  optic nerves but do not develop glaucoma ?  Mine are ''suspicious''  looking but I have  nornal visual fields and eye pressure .
I am told (and shown ) that my optic nerves are large and the dr said they need to be monitored. Does this always mean glaucoma?
Also, can the optic nerves look bigger/inflamed  if you have a new infection in your body such as hsv/herpes  etc? o they ''settle down'' when the infection calms?

[daphne500]

Thank you for your prompt reply Dr Kutryb,  I appreciate it.
I keep forgetting to ask my dr if  it can just be the way my nerves are.I am glad to learn that is a possibility here.
Obviously we still have to watch things.  It does not run in my family, another good thing but regardless the dr  would like to monitor it  with the tests you mentioned.
Thanks again.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Yes, some people have enlarged optic nerve cupping but don't have glaucoma.  In these cases, the ophthalmologist will moniter the optic nerve with an OCT or GDX machine and moniter the visual field and intraocular pressure and also corneal thickness.  By monitoring these things and taking into account other things like family history, the doctor can usually have a good idea usually who will develop glaucomatous damage and who won't.  HSV infections should have nothing to do with this.

Michael Kutryb, MD