Optic Nerve Gliomas: An Overview

Optic nerve gliomas which are a part of a broader category of optic pathway gliomas, are low grade astrocytic tumours arising along the optic nerve, chiasm or tract. They represent approximately 1.5% to 4% of all orbital tumours and constitute a significant proportion of primary optic nerve neoplasms. Histologically, most optic nerve gliomas are classified as a pilocytic astrocytoma, with generally idle behaviours, although rare malignant forms exist.