Optic nerve changes

[Welshsailor]

Hi, does your optic nerve change over time even without having glaucoma?

Many thanks

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Welshsailor.

Yes the Optic nerve does change with age. Age related changes are significant and measurable, and are taken into account during eye examination especially if the person is a glaucoma suspect.

[Welshsailor in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks for the reply. I have mild glaucoma in my left eye, suspect on right. My visual fields are stable but there’s been a tiny change in optic nerves. Wondering if this was normal and if an explanation was possible

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Welshsailor]

I've attached a paper on the subject which you may find interesting

bjo.bmj.com/content/81/10/840