Radiation optic neuropathy.

The ophthalmoscopic findings in a series of 14 eyes with radiation-induced optic neuropathy are described. Typically, the entity manifests acutely as disc swelling with surrounding exudate, hemorrhages, and subretinal fluid. Optic atrophy may ensue in the later stages. Similar to radiation retinopathy, radiation optic neuropathy also seems to occur secondary to vascular damage. In contrast to visual loss secondary to radiation retinopathy, the visual acuity in certain eyes with decreased vision attributable to radiation optic neuropathy may improve over a period of several months.