Embryology of the Optic Nerve Head

An understanding of the embryology oflhe optic nerve is key to understanding congenital disc anomalies. ldentification of timely embryologic stages allows one to accurately predict the gestational age when an Insult occurs. InJury may result in an isolated optic nerve disorder or one with both nerve and other somatic involvement. initially embryonic development prior to any evidence of eye structure fomnation will be discussed under the section of preoptic development of the eye structures. The next section entitled Optic Nerve Development (Section V) will concentrate mainly on the early development of the optic nerve in an attempt to lay down a framework for understanding theories of selected congenital disc anomalies.