Optic atrophy in paediatric patients: A clinical review

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyse paediatric optic atrophy in terms of aetiology and clinical presentation. Methodology: A retrospective review of records of children between 0 and 15 years diagnosed with optic nerve atrophy from January 2018 to December 2018 at a tertiary eye care centre was done. Results: Out of 40 children (80 eyes), 47.5% presented with defective vision, 12.5% with defective vision and strabismus. Mean age at presentation was 8.3 years. Mean visual acuity at presentation was 6/60. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was noted in 30%, which was the most frequent cause followed by idiopathic in 15%, compressive aetiology in 10%, congenital in 10%, inflammatory in 10%, hydrocephalus in 7.5%, infection in 5%, traumatic in 5% and miscellaneous in 7.5%. Conclusion: Our study throws light on the prevalent causes of paediatric optic atrophy in Indian population which can aid in timely intervention and appropriate rehabilitation to improve the functional potential of these children.

Keywords

• aetiology
• clinical presentation
• hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
• optic atrophy