14 Cases of Cavernous Degeneration of the Optic Nerve

Abstract

After a brief bibliographical introduction, 14 cases of cavernous degeneration of the optic nerve [in man] from 1831 autopsy cases were reported. All the subjects examined showed lesions of a senile degenerative type in the vessels afferent to the retro-laminar segment of the optic nerve. The pathogenetic mechanism of the lesion seems to be attributable to chronic ischaemia. Myopia and glaucoma, if present, may also contribute, as they cause disorders of the blood system in this region.