optic nerve lesions

[melrose591]

hello doctor
i was wondering what symptoms are associated with optic nerve lesions.
1) is there normally problems with colour vision
2) is there an afferent pupil defect?
3) can they be detected during a dilated exam
4) is it possible to have them and the doctor not notice?
5) what are the usual symptoms?
thank you

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

Sorry in this forum we've gone about as far as we can go. Consider asking the EyeMD that checked your before or get a neuroophthalmology consult (find one at www.aao.org).

JCH III MD

[melrose591]

i have 20 or so spots in my vision (different each eye) and my retinas are healthy so I thought it might be a optic nerve issue and was wondering how that is determined, like if there are other symptoms associated with it that give a clue. when I had the dilated exam, the doctor said my optic nerves looked fine.
sorry to annoy you but I am just trying to narrow this down and I thought there might be things like pupil defects or colour vision problems that go with optic nerve problems. or I thought there might be characteristic vision defects that could point to (or away from) an optic nerve problem.

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

I'm not sure what you mean by "to have 20 or more of them"  Twenty of what?

Lesions can be tumors, vascular problems like strokes, infectious processes, injuries, scars,

A baseline comprehensive exam by an ophthalmologist can identy many of the causes but sometimes special tests are necessary.

JCH IIII MD

[melrose591]

also, can you pls tell me whether these "lesions" are tumours? is it possible to have 20 or more of them? if you had a comprehensive eye exam by an eye MD, would they  know if you had them or would you need special tests to check? sorry for all the questions, but I am very worried. thanks you

[melrose591]

and are these lesions numerous or is there just one?

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

Generally negative or dark (although the brain fills in the blank with small lesions and the defect is only apparent on Amsler grid testing or visiual fields).

JCH III MD

[melrose591]

thank you, doctor. i understand.
would you be able to tell me whether any visual defects would be "positive" or "negative" - I mean, would you have blank areas in your vision, or would you actually see a black area like with a retinal detachment?

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

1. sometimes
2. sometimes
3. sometimes
4. sometimes
5. sometimes none, sometimes all the above, at others reduced visual acuity, color vision defects.

Sometimes I can't be more specific, sorry.

As always,
JCH III MD