Questions & Answers

This Month: Optic Glioma

From the June, 2001 Newsletter

The optic nerve transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Gliomas are tumours or swellings of tissue - it does not necessarily mean it is malignant.

Optic Gliomas may occur at any point in the visual pathway. In some cases the tumour is confined to the part in the optic nerve within the orbit.

Gliomas appear at any age. Many people with Nf have Optic Gliomas; fewer than 5% develop problems to sight.

A normal eye examination does not eliminate the possibility of Optic Glioma. Detailed CT or MRI scans are the diagnostic method of choice.

These tumours may cause damage to sight because of where on the nerve they are, rather than what they are. To some degree differences in behaviour of the tumour and its potential damage to sight depends on whether the tumour involves the optic nerve within the orbit, within the bony canal in the skull or inside the brain.

Those who develop symptoms - (changes in peripheral vision) may have more complications than those who go for several years totally unaware of the tumours existence except for detection by CT or MRI scan.

Treatment: Only general guidelines can be given as no one patient or tumour is the same. The behaviour of the tumour will determine the treatment.

(1) Some are observed.
(2) May be biopsied.
(3) Causing damage to vision it may be treated by Radiation.
(4) Or even surgically removed.

A complete eye examination is an important way to diagnose Nf. So the (Ophthalmologist) eye doctor plays a key role in the team of doctors who look after Nf.