Contact Us
+91 -9891818024
Optic atrophy is the permanent damage or degeneration of the optic nerve — the bundle of over a million nerve fibres that carries visual signals from the eye to the brain. It is not a disease in itself but the end result of many different underlying conditions that damage these nerve fibres, whether through injury, poor blood supply, pressure, inflammation, toxins, or inherited genetic causes. Once optic nerve fibres are lost, the eye’s ability to transmit clear visual information is permanently reduced, which is why early diagnosis of the underlying cause is essential.
10+
years Experience
years Experience
5000+
Patients treated
Patients treated
100+
Countries served
Countries served
NABH
Guided facility
Guided facility
Causes
Optic atrophy can result from a wide range of conditions, including glaucoma, optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, traumatic injury to the nerve, toxic or nutritional causes, compression from tumours, raised intracranial pressure (papilledema), and inherited disorders such as Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy or Wolfram Syndrome. Identifying the specific underlying cause is the first step in any treatment plan.
Symptoms
The hallmark symptom is a gradual or sudden reduction in vision that does not fully correct with glasses. Patients often notice dimmer or washed-out colours, reduced contrast sensitivity, and a smaller or patchy visual field. On examination, the optic disc typically appears pale (a sign doctors call ‘disc pallor’), which reflects the loss of healthy nerve fibres.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis starts with a dilated eye examination to look for pallor of the optic disc, along with visual field testing to map out the pattern of vision loss. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) measures the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer and is one of the most useful tools for tracking optic atrophy over time. Depending on the suspected cause, additional tests — MRI of the brain and orbits, blood tests, or genetic testing — may be recommended to identify why the nerve is damaged.
Treatment — Stem Cell Therapy
Because optic atrophy has so many possible causes, treatment always begins with identifying and managing the underlying condition — for example, controlling eye pressure in glaucoma, treating inflammation in optic neuritis, or addressing a compressive lesion. Once the underlying cause is stable, stem cell therapy is studied for its potential to support the remaining, still-viable optic nerve tissue and help preserve visual function; it is not a substitute for treating the root cause.
Meet The Team
Our Eye Specialists
Dr. Pawan
Associate Professor, Vitreo-Retina Surgeon. 10+ Years Experience
Retinal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, and advanced retina procedures. Provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning for international patients.
Dr.Pallavee
Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist & Eye Surgeon· 26+ yrs experience
Areas of Focus: Cataract surgery, corneal disorders, refractive procedures, and glaucoma management. Provides comprehensive eye care and surgical expertise for global patients.
Dr. Robin
Consultant Ophthalmologist & Eye Surgeon, MD, DO .16+ Years Experience
Areas of Focus: Cataract surgery, corneal disorders, refractive procedures, and glaucoma management. Provides comprehensive eye care and surgical expertise for global patients.
How Stem Cell Therapy May Help
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), typically sourced from bone marrow or umbilical cord tissue, are studied for their potential to support optic nerve tissue health, reduce inflammation, and help preserve remaining visual function. The cells are administered via a minimally invasive procedure — most often through a retrobulbar or intravitreal injection — under the supervision of our ophthalmology and regenerative medicine team. This approach does not restore vision already lost in advanced, complete optic atrophy, but may help support remaining nerve function and quality of life in suitable candidates.
Reviews
What Our Patients Say
Aamit Arora
Your family is very thankful to stem cell cure india for being there for us. The doctors were very understanding and the staff made it a point to see that we were comfortable during the treatment.
Deepak Kumar
From the first time we talked to the team and in all the discussions that followed, the team was really easy to talk to and explained everything clearly. They took the time to understand what was going on
Frequently Asked Questions
Can optic atrophy be reversed?
“Nerve fibres that have already died cannot be regenerated with any currently proven treatment. The focus of care is to stop further damage by treating the underlying cause, and to support the remaining nerve tissue.”
Is stem cell therapy a cure for optic atrophy?
“No. It is a supportive, studied approach aimed at preserving remaining function in suitable candidates — it does not restore vision that has already been permanently lost.”
How is the exact cause of my optic atrophy identified?
“Our team reviews your visual field results, OCT scans, and imaging alongside your medical history to identify the underlying condition before recommending any treatment plan.”
