Table 1 Overview of the different aetiologies of optic neuropathy.

Infarction of the ONH due to perfusion deficit of the SPCA

Infrared pupillography

Latent period of the pupil light reflex

[6]

Goldmann perimetry

Visual field impairment, (cecocentral) scotoma

[7]

VEP

Retarded P100 latency, diminished potential amplitude

[8]

Color fundus photography

Crowded, edematous disc, peripapillary hemorrhage

[7]

Fluorescein angiography (i.v.)

Vascular morphology and topology; discal perfusion delay

[7, 8]

Ocular blood flow system

Pulse synchronic alterations of intraocular pressure

[9]

Optical coherence tomography, e.g. by HRT

Circumferential scan of the ONH for quantitative, morphological analysis, e.g. cup size/volume, RNFL thickness

[10]

Scanning laser polarimetry, by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope

Estimation of RNFL thickness by retardation of polarized scanning laser beam

[11]

Laser doppler flowmeter, e.g. by HRF

Capillary blood flow of retina and choroidea via transpupillary laser scanning ophthalmoscopy

[12]

(Color) doppler imaging

Blood flow of intraorbital, retroorbital, small choroideal vessels including SPCA

[13]

MRI

DWI restriction, reduced ADC map

[4]

Fundoscopy

Edematous disc, macular infarction, subsequent disc pallor

[3, 4]

Retrolaminar ischemia due to hypo-perfusion of the Zinn-Haller circle (pial, choroideal vessels, PCA)

Fundoscopy

Initially normal disc, pallid after weeks

[14]

[14]

Perfusion deficit of the central retinal artery

Clinical examination fundoscopy

Absent papillary reflex or RAPD, cherry red spot of the macula

[15]

Perfusion deficit during surgical procedure (e.g. clipping), emboli, vasospasm

Cerebral angiography

Vessel calibres: aneurysm, emboli, vasospasm

[16]

Venous infarction due to thrombosis of ophthalmic veins

Venography

Absence of contrast filling in orbital veins

[5]

MRI

DWI restriction, ADC reduction along optic nerve

[5]

Mucus in paranasal sinus

Orbital CT

Erosion of optic canals

[17]

e.g. IFNα therapy

Fundoscopy

Edematous disc

[18]