Visual Scotomata With Intracranial Lesions Affecting the Optic Nerve

Optic Nerve Compression and its Differential Diagnosis

“…In a recent paper (published after the present communication was given) Mooney and McConnell (1949) state that a central scotoma is particularly liable to occur when the optic nerve is elevated or depressed in the region of the optic foramen, and refer to the possible mechanisms, such as pressure of the nerve against the margin of the optic foramen, or pressure on, or kinking of, the ophthalmic artery. Case IV in their paper is similar to the cases in the present series, in presenting with unilateral central scotoma and optic atrophy, due to a probable aneurysm lifting up the optic nerve.…”

A Case of Permanent Blindness Due to Toxaemia of Pregnancy

“…Indeed it is difficult to account for the transient haemianopia which is by no means a rare concomitant of toxaemia, by any other hypothesis. Angiospasm as a cause of optic atrophy would also fall in well with the findings of Mooney and McConnell (1949). These investigators consider that the optic atrophy found in space-occupying lesions in the region of the carotid tree results, not from direct pressure on the nerve or chiasma, but from interference with their blood supply.…”

RECURRENT CHIASMAL ARACHNOIDITIS SUCCESSFULLY TREATED BY OPERATIONS Report of a Case

“…The contention that direct local pressure on the optic nerves or chiasm produces atrophy or central field defects cannot be fully accepted. Mooney et al (1949) in a discussion on the origin of visual scotomata with intracranial lesions, emphasised an increasing tendency to attribute visual defects to interference with blood supply rather than to direct pressure on the nerve fibres.…”