Optic atrophy is the degeneration of the optic nerve that results in vision loss. For many people with this condition, this may mean having to give up activities they love, such as reading, doing crafts, or driving. Though there is no cure for optic atrophy, low vision care can help you regain functional vision to get back to the things you enjoy. This was the success story for Kathy, a Midwest Low Vision patient, who was able to turn optic atrophy from an obstacle into an opportunity.
What is Optic Atrophy?
Optic atrophy, or optic neuropathy, is a condition in which the optic nerve—the “cable” that carries visual information from the eye to the brain—begins to deteriorate. Atrophy of the optic nerve is not a disease in itself; rather, it is the result of long-term damage to nerve fibers from a variety of causes, such as glaucoma, tumors, trauma, or in Kathy’s case, a hereditary condition. This damage can lead to the loss of some, or even all, of the vision in the affected eye(s).
Symptoms of optic atrophy may include:
- Decreased visual acuity
- Peripheral vision loss
- Reduced color vision
These symptoms closely resemble those of other vision problems, so if you are experiencing any of these concerns, contact your eye doctor for an examination.
Management of optic neuropathy first begins with addressing the underlying cause of the condition. While treatment of the cause may prevent the atrophy from progressing, there is no cure to reverse the damage. Fortunately, low vision care may help you regain functional eyesight and improve quality of life.
Kathy’s Story: Seeking Answers
In 1998, Kathy’s eye doctor referred her to a specialist because her best-corrected vision was 20/40 in one eye and 20/50 in the other. Fast forward to 2012, and Kathy’s eyesight had worsened to 20/70 and 20/80. Though she didn’t know it at the time, her eyesight could be classified as low vision. Passed along to another specialist, and eventually to a neuro-ophthalmologist, Kathy learned through a blood test that she had a defect on her optic nerves and was officially diagnosed with dominant optic atrophy.
Looking for a Path Forward with Optic Atrophy
The optimism ended there, however, as Kathy “had a diagnosis but no course of action.” She learned there was no treatment to reverse her condition, and there was no way of knowing how her vision loss might progress. The only path forward was simply to monitor her vision and update her glasses as needed.
The next several years saw a diminished quality of life. Kathy relied on digital devices with large fonts, magnifiers, and large computer monitors to do her job. Hobbies like reading and crafting became difficult and less enjoyable. Though she had been able to drive during daytime hours, she finally stopped driving in 2021 due to growing anxiety about safety on the road.
Low Vision Care Brings Hope
Later in 2021, Kathy’s struggles changed when she ran across Midwest Low Vision in a YouTube video. Though she had never heard the term “low vision” before, she booked a free phone consultation with Holly, our Lead Low Vision technician, and then scheduled an appointment with Dr. Jarrod Long. She says of her experience, “I had little idea what to expect on my first visit. I have had some bad visits with eye doctors over the course of my life and hoped I didn’t have to get poked and prodded. Dr. Long ACTUALLY LISTENED to what I had to say and what my goals were… It was the most relaxed eye exam I ever had. I knew I had found someone who wanted to help me see the best that was possible for me.”
Reading Signs Across a Store
Kathy was fitted for two pairs of glasses—one for distance, and one for reading. In January of 2022, she received her distance glasses. “I could read signs across a store!” she stated, “ It really did open the world back up to me. I read the 20/40 line with clarity. I didn’t have to guess what was there.” One month later, she received her reading glasses. “I was able to hold my phone at a normal distance and read it instead of having it about six inches away from my face,” Kathy said. “The other thing that I have really enjoyed since getting the reading glasses is being able to read a menu in a restaurant without struggling, even if the lighting is not the best. In the past, I always had to use a magnifier on my phone to help with this.”
From Optic Atrophy to Bioptic Driver
Next, Kathy set her sights on returning to driving. “Driving was definitely important to me, and it would enable me to get back to work.”
With the help of the State of Indiana’s Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) program, she began bioptic driver training in February 2023. “I had to drive in different situations, learning when to look through my bioptics to spot traffic lights, road signs, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, etc. I did a nighttime evaluation as well. I drove more in six weeks than I had driven in the past 18 months!”
By March, she passed her state driving test and became a licensed bioptic driver. “I’m now free to drive whenever I want. I no longer have daylight driving hours only. This opens my world back up in ways I didn’t think possible just a year ago.”
Low Vision Care for Optic Atrophy
Kathy’s story shows what’s possible—even with a serious diagnosis like optic neuropathy. States Dr. Long, “Her story is a success, but I think it could have been successful at an earlier stage. That’s why we share these stories—to change that for others.”
If you, or a patient of yours, are struggling with low vision, contact us today to see how we might be able to help.