Pallor of the optic disc in children

Abstract

This report discusses the subject of pallor of the optic disc from the viewpoint of a paediatric neurologist. The paper is divided into two sections, one on optic atrophy in childhood and the second on optic nerve hypoplasia. Optic atrophy in children is a topic which is very poorly covered in standard textbooks either of neurology or ophthalmology. This review attempts to develop a working approach to the management of children who present with optic nerve atrophy as their primary neurological finding.