Differential Diagnoses in Diabetic Optic Neuropathies: Diabetic Papillopathy, Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and Optic Atrophy

The devastating blinding effects of diabetic retinopathy are well documented. Although individually less common, diabetes mellitus (DM) may cause optic nerve complications. The vascular effects of DM seem to contribute to non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy and diabetic papillopathy. The finding of optic atrophy is non-specific and might represent the chronic phase of any optic neuropathy. This review presents an overview of the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as the clinical features, of these optic nerve diseases, with consideration given to the presence of DM.