1. Focus on Limiting the Damage
Once the optic nerve has been destroyed, abraded or otherwise damaged, you cannot restore it via any therapy that's currently available. Your focus instead should be on treating the underlying cause of atrophy and preventing further damage both to the nerve and to other components of your visual system and body.
2. Diagnose the Primary Cause of Atrophy
Men in their late adolescence can come down with a condition called Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. This is a genetic condition that leads to permanent, irreversible loss of vision. One of the first indicators of this frustrating condition is optic nerve atrophy. Although this particular disease can't be treated, there are other diseases which can also cause optic nerve atrophy and which can be treated if caught in time.
For instance, the sexually transmitted disease syphilis can cause optic nerve atrophy. If caught early, however, syphilis can be treated easily with drugs. Thus, the optic nerve atrophy can be permanently halted.
Other causes of ONA include optic neuritis (essentially an inflammation of the nerve--prevalent among white middle-aged women), glaucoma (a buildup of pressure inside the eye which can damage the optic nerve), hereditary disorders of the ocular system, tumors putting pressure on the nerve, hypertrophied eye muscles pressing up against the nerve and several other conditions.
3. Eliminate Toxins from the Environment, Eat Healthy and Exercise and Remove Stressors to the Visual System
Even if you've zeroed in on the ultimate cause of the optic nerve atrophy and you've taken steps to treat that cause, pay special attention to your vision system. After all, it's in a weakened state. Now is the time to quit smoking cigarettes, cut out alcohol from your diet, escape from stressful situations at work and make other lifestyle changes that will support the health of your eyes.
