Optic Disc Pallor

What is it?

Whiteness of optic disc neuroretinal rim on ophthalmoscopy
Sign of death of optic nerve axons
Appears weeks to months after axons have died
Many diseases can cause this

How does it appear?

In normal eyes, physiologic cup in center of optic disc appears white, but neuroretinal rim appears orange on ophthalmoscopy
In optic disc pallor, neuroretinal rim appears white instead of orange
Color change may be subtle

What else looks like it?

Normal optic disc, whose temporal portion is whiter than its nasal portion
Optic disc of myopic patients, whose temporal portion is even whiter than in non-myopic patients
Distinguishing pathologic optic pallor from normal variation and myopic optic discs is very challenging and best left to ophthalmologist

What to do?

If you suspect optic disc pallor, refer non-urgently to ophthalmologist

What will happen?

Optic disc pallor means that optic nerve axons have been damaged in variety of disorders
Delayed diagnosis may lead to irreversible blindness