Morphofunctional Changes of the Retina and Optic Nerve in Optical Neuropathy of Various Genesis: A Literature Review

Abstract

The retina is part of the central nervous system and has much in common with the brain’s physiological characteristics. Ophthalmological manifestations often precede the symptoms of central nervous system disorders and are used for their early diagnosis. Retinal imaging is simpler and more economical than the available central nervous system imaging methods. In this connection, the search for retinal biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases is relevant. Optical coherence tomography is highly valuable both for routine clinical practice and for research purposes. Different patterns of structural changes of the optic nerve and retina in optical neuropathies of various genesis are due to differences in the pathogenesis of diseases (glaucoma optic neuropathy, non-arterial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis, and compression optic neuropathy). The identified biomarkers can be used for screening patients in primary healthcare institutions to provide a preliminary diagnosis of patients at risk.