Nonglaucomatous Cavernous Degeneration of the Optic Nerve

Pathology of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

“…Although found in cases of arteritic and nonarteritic ION, cavernous degeneration is often reported as an incidental finding in patients with chronic glaucoma and uveal melanoma. [21][22][23][24] The absence of clinical history of sudden vision loss in some cases with well-documented ocular records have added to the mystery surrounding the condition. 23,24 Cavernous degeneration is usually found in the immediate retrolaminar region of the optic nerve.…”

“…[21][22][23][24] The absence of clinical history of sudden vision loss in some cases with well-documented ocular records have added to the mystery surrounding the condition. 23,24 Cavernous degeneration is usually found in the immediate retrolaminar region of the optic nerve. Distinctive histologic features include large empty spaces (ie, caverns) filled with faintly staining mucopolysaccharide sensitive to hyaluronidase (Figure 4).…”

“…An early hypothesis that vitreous was forced into the optic nerve by elevated intraocular pressure has been discredited. 23 In adults, hyaluronic acid is normally found around myelin sheaths in the retrolaminar nerve, but it diminishes with age. 23 It is virtually absent in eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma.…”

“…23 In adults, hyaluronic acid is normally found around myelin sheaths in the retrolaminar nerve, but it diminishes with age. 23 It is virtually absent in eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma. 25 For reasons that remain unclear, hyaluronic acid accumulates in the socalled cavernous spaces for which the condition is named.…”

Pathology of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

“…Although found in cases of arteritic and nonarteritic ION, cavernous degeneration is often reported as an incidental finding in patients with chronic glaucoma and uveal melanoma. [21][22][23][24] The absence of clinical history of sudden vision loss in some cases with well-documented ocular records have added to the mystery surrounding the condition. 23,24 Cavernous degeneration is usually found in the immediate retrolaminar region of the optic nerve.…”

“…[21][22][23][24] The absence of clinical history of sudden vision loss in some cases with well-documented ocular records have added to the mystery surrounding the condition. 23,24 Cavernous degeneration is usually found in the immediate retrolaminar region of the optic nerve. Distinctive histologic features include large empty spaces (ie, caverns) filled with faintly staining mucopolysaccharide sensitive to hyaluronidase (Figure 4).…”

“…An early hypothesis that vitreous was forced into the optic nerve by elevated intraocular pressure has been discredited. 23 In adults, hyaluronic acid is normally found around myelin sheaths in the retrolaminar nerve, but it diminishes with age. 23 It is virtually absent in eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma.…”

“…23 In adults, hyaluronic acid is normally found around myelin sheaths in the retrolaminar nerve, but it diminishes with age. 23 It is virtually absent in eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma. 25 For reasons that remain unclear, hyaluronic acid accumulates in the socalled cavernous spaces for which the condition is named.…”

Manifest Glaucoma in the Aged I: Occurrence Nine Years After a Population Survey

“…The conclusion that low-tension glaucoma is very common but almost always overlooked is inevitable. It explains the frequent finding of Schnabel's cavernous degeneration of the optic nerve in cases previously not known to have had glaucoma (Giarelli et al 1977;Brownstein et al 1980;Dolman et al 1980). …”

Pathology of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

“…Although found in cases of arteritic and nonarteritic ION, cavernous degeneration is often reported as an incidental finding in patients with chronic glaucoma and uveal melanoma. [21][22][23][24] The absence of clinical history of sudden vision loss in some cases with well-documented ocular records have added to the mystery surrounding the condition. 23,24 Cavernous degeneration is usually found in the immediate retrolaminar region of the optic nerve.…”

“…[21][22][23][24] The absence of clinical history of sudden vision loss in some cases with well-documented ocular records have added to the mystery surrounding the condition. 23,24 Cavernous degeneration is usually found in the immediate retrolaminar region of the optic nerve. Distinctive histologic features include large empty spaces (ie, caverns) filled with faintly staining mucopolysaccharide sensitive to hyaluronidase (Figure 4).…”

“…An early hypothesis that vitreous was forced into the optic nerve by elevated intraocular pressure has been discredited. 23 In adults, hyaluronic acid is normally found around myelin sheaths in the retrolaminar nerve, but it diminishes with age. 23 It is virtually absent in eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma.…”

“…23 In adults, hyaluronic acid is normally found around myelin sheaths in the retrolaminar nerve, but it diminishes with age. 23 It is virtually absent in eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma. 25 For reasons that remain unclear, hyaluronic acid accumulates in the socalled cavernous spaces for which the condition is named.…”

Manifest Glaucoma in the Aged I: Occurrence Nine Years After a Population Survey

“…The conclusion that low-tension glaucoma is very common but almost always overlooked is inevitable. It explains the frequent finding of Schnabel's cavernous degeneration of the optic nerve in cases previously not known to have had glaucoma (Giarelli et al 1977;Brownstein et al 1980;Dolman et al 1980). …”

Pathology of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

“…Although found in cases of arteritic and nonarteritic ION, cavernous degeneration is often reported as an incidental finding in patients with chronic glaucoma and uveal melanoma. [21][22][23][24] The absence of clinical history of sudden vision loss in some cases with well-documented ocular records have added to the mystery surrounding the condition. 23,24 Cavernous degeneration is usually found in the immediate retrolaminar region of the optic nerve.…”

“…[21][22][23][24] The absence of clinical history of sudden vision loss in some cases with well-documented ocular records have added to the mystery surrounding the condition. 23,24 Cavernous degeneration is usually found in the immediate retrolaminar region of the optic nerve. Distinctive histologic features include large empty spaces (ie, caverns) filled with faintly staining mucopolysaccharide sensitive to hyaluronidase (Figure 4).…”

“…An early hypothesis that vitreous was forced into the optic nerve by elevated intraocular pressure has been discredited. 23 In adults, hyaluronic acid is normally found around myelin sheaths in the retrolaminar nerve, but it diminishes with age. 23 It is virtually absent in eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma.…”

“…23 In adults, hyaluronic acid is normally found around myelin sheaths in the retrolaminar nerve, but it diminishes with age. 23 It is virtually absent in eyes with chronic open-angle glaucoma. 25 For reasons that remain unclear, hyaluronic acid accumulates in the socalled cavernous spaces for which the condition is named.…”

Manifest Glaucoma in the Aged I: Occurrence Nine Years After a Population Survey

“…The conclusion that low-tension glaucoma is very common but almost always overlooked is inevitable. It explains the frequent finding of Schnabel's cavernous degeneration of the optic nerve in cases previously not known to have had glaucoma (Giarelli et al 1977;Brownstein et al 1980;Dolman et al 1980). …”