Assessment of the optic nerve

The optic nerve transfers our sensory impressions from the eye to the brain. A healthy optic disc curves slightly inwards. At its centre are blood vessels supplying the retina. The optic disc, the so-called papilla, refers to the location where the optic nerve exits the eye. This location is filled with nerve fibres, blood vessels and supporting cells, and is often examined with an ophthalmoscope or a magnifying lens by the ophthalmologist, especially for diagnosing glaucoma.