Do ONH drusen typically affect vision?

Do ONH drusen typically affect vision?

• A. They usually cause significant vision loss
• B. They usually have no effect on vision
• C. They always require urgent surgery
• D. They cause retinal detachment

Answer: (B)

ONH drusen are calcified deposits in the optic nerve head that are usually present from birth and often found incidentally. They typically do not interfere with the transmission of visual information, so central vision is preserved and meaningful vision loss is not a usual outcome. Some patients may have mild, non-progressive visual field changes, but these do not reflect loss of central acuity. They do not require urgent surgery and are not a cause of retinal detachment. A practical note is that they can mimic disc swelling (papilledema) on exam, so imaging or follow-up may be needed to distinguish them from true pathology.

ONH drusen are calcified deposits in the optic nerve head that are usually present from birth and often found incidentally. They typically do not interfere with the transmission of visual information, so central vision is preserved and meaningful vision loss is not a usual outcome. Some patients may have mild, non-progressive visual field changes, but these do not reflect loss of central acuity. They do not require urgent surgery and are not a cause of retinal detachment. A practical note is that they can mimic disc swelling (papilledema) on exam, so imaging or follow-up may be needed to distinguish them from true pathology.