Optic atrophy (also termed optic neuropathy) is the loss of some or all of the nerve fibres in the optic nerve. It is an important sign of advanced optic nerve disease and is frequently seen in visual loss. It is said to be primary if it occurs without any preceding optic nerve head oedema and secondary if it is preceded by oedema. It may also be described according to the underlying aetiology (ie whether this relates to primary disease of the retina or whether the problem originates at the level of the optic nerve).
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/neurology/optic-atrophy