Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStructure and CausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Structure and Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
An optic nerve pit is a backward protrusion of tissue seen on theoptic nerve. It is hard to notice; in fact, most people are not aware that they have one until an eye doctor observes the pit during an exam.
This article will explain more about what an optic nerve pit is, its symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, and available treatments.
kolderal / Getty Images
Your optic nerve, also called cranial nerve 2, or CN 2, connects theretina, located in the back of the eye, to the brain. It is responsible for transmitting visual information (what you see) from the retina to the brain. The optic nerve is made up of more than 1 million nerve fibers.
An optic nerve pit, also called an optic disc pit or sometimes an optic hole, is considered a pocket or defect located within the optic nerve.
An optic nerve pit may occur due to incomplete formation of the eye in an embryo (the early stage of human development, when organs are formed).Researchers debate the exact cause of an optic nerve pit.
solar22/ Getty Images
Optic Nerve Pit Symptoms
Many adults with an optic nerve pit will have no symptoms from it, and symptoms also are rare in children. If vision changes do occur, they are more likely to happen in a person’s 20s or 30s. Vision changes result in about 50% of people with an optic nerve pit.
Retinal detachments are considered a medical emergency. Vision problems that involve the macula and are associated with an optic nerve pit are often calledmaculopathies.
Fluid Behind the Retina and Your Vision
Diagnosing an Optic Nerve Pit
Many people with an optic nerve pit will not notice any change to their vision. The most common way it is found is during a routineeye exam.During these exams, the eye doctor may notice an optic nerve pit while examining the optic nerve and retina.
An eye doctor can observe an optic nerve pit with direct or indirectophthalmoscopy. This involves the use of a handheld or head-worn device to help the doctor see the back of the eye.
The eye doctor also can obtain a closer look via aslit lamp biomicroscopy binocular exam. Aslit lampis a special microscope with a bright light attached to it. This tool lets the professional examining your eye closely look at the structures at the front and inside of your eyes.
The eye doctor may also perform avisual field test, which measures your entire field of vision. This will help them see if there are any visual field defects due to the optic nerve pit.
Could It Be Something Else?During an exam, the doctor can help confirm if the finding is actually an optic nerve pit versus another congenital abnormality, such as anoptic disc colobomaor morning glory anomaly.These may have a similar appearance.An optic nerve pit can also resembleglaucoma, a group of eye diseases causing damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. Your eye doctor can rule out glaucoma during the exam as well.
Could It Be Something Else?
During an exam, the doctor can help confirm if the finding is actually an optic nerve pit versus another congenital abnormality, such as anoptic disc colobomaor morning glory anomaly.These may have a similar appearance.An optic nerve pit can also resembleglaucoma, a group of eye diseases causing damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. Your eye doctor can rule out glaucoma during the exam as well.
During an exam, the doctor can help confirm if the finding is actually an optic nerve pit versus another congenital abnormality, such as anoptic disc colobomaor morning glory anomaly.These may have a similar appearance.
An optic nerve pit can also resembleglaucoma, a group of eye diseases causing damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. Your eye doctor can rule out glaucoma during the exam as well.
If the macula has fluid buildup associated with a serous retinal detachment, then the eye will require treatment. These treatments may include:
Results from the treatment of an optic nerve pit can vary. If maculopathy develops, then about 80% of patients may have a visual acuity that can dip to 20/200 or worse (normal vision is 20/20). However, surgery has about an 87% success rate.
In some people, vision does not return to normal despite treatment.
Summary
An optic nerve pit is a congenital defect near the optic nerve that occurs in about 1 in 11,000 people. It more commonly affects one eye vs. both eyes. Most people do not know that they have it until an eye doctor observes the pit during an exam.
An optic nerve pit often does not need treatment, nor does it cause visual effects. When it does cause vision changes due to maculopathy, treatment options include a variety of surgeries. Surgery can help improve vision, although some people may not return to normal vision even after treatment.
A Word From Verywell
If an eye doctor tells you that you have an optic nerve pit, follow any instructions on how often you should return for an eye exam. Those exams give your doctor a chance to monitor the optic nerve pit and increase the chance for good vision. Talk to your doctor about your long-term risk for maculopathy. Let your healthcare team know if you have any changes to your vision.
Types of Eye Doctor Specialists
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nezgoda JT.Optic pits. American Academy of Ophthalmology.American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Optic nerve pit.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Optic nerve disorders.Chatzrialli I, Theodossiadis P, Theodossiadis GP.Optic disk pit maculopathy: Current management strategies. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:1417-1422. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S153711
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nezgoda JT.Optic pits. American Academy of Ophthalmology.American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Optic nerve pit.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Optic nerve disorders.Chatzrialli I, Theodossiadis P, Theodossiadis GP.Optic disk pit maculopathy: Current management strategies. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:1417-1422. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S153711
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nezgoda JT.Optic pits. American Academy of Ophthalmology.American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Optic nerve pit.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Optic nerve disorders.Chatzrialli I, Theodossiadis P, Theodossiadis GP.Optic disk pit maculopathy: Current management strategies. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:1417-1422. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S153711
Nezgoda JT.Optic pits. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Optic nerve pit.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Optic nerve disorders.
Chatzrialli I, Theodossiadis P, Theodossiadis GP.Optic disk pit maculopathy: Current management strategies. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:1417-1422. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S153711
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
