Optic disc

Optic Disc

The Optic disc or Optic nerve head is a circular area in the back of the eye where the optic nerve connects to the retina. It is also the entry point for the major blood vessels that supply the retina. The optic disc is a key structure in many diseases of the eye, such as glaucoma, which causes damage to the optic nerve.

Anatomy

The optic disc is located in the back of the eye and is approximately 1.5 mm in diameter. It is not sensitive to light, which creates a blind spot in the visual field. The center of the optic disc, known as the optic cup, is where the major blood vessels enter and exit the eye.

Function

The optic disc is the point of exit for ganglion cell axons leaving the eye. Because there are no rod cells or cone cells in the optic disc, it is not sensitive to light and thus is also known as the "blind spot".

Clinical significance

The appearance of the optic disc is important in many diseases. In glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve can lead to loss of vision, and the optic disc can appear excavated or cupped. In papilledema, the optic disc swells due to increased intracranial pressure.

See also

• Optic nerve
• Retina
• Glaucoma
• Papilledema

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