What is the visual prognosis for bilateral optic atrophy?

Q: My father is 53 years old and for the past 18 months is suffering from loss of vision in both eyes. He has been diagnosed as having right sectorial optic atrophy with post anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and in the left eye there is post-ischaemic optic atrophy. MRI of the brain showed some hypo intense lesions in the brain. He is also a diabetic on treatment and it is under control. We have already consulted L.V.Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad and Shankara Netralaya in Chennai but they say that there is no medication for this disease. Can kindly you prescribe or suggest medicine or visual aid which can help him?

A:As the patient has bilateral optic atrophy, the visual prognosis is quite poor. However, the residual vision may be enhanced by the use of visual aids. Both the LVPEI at Hyderabad (and Shankara Netralaya at Chennai) have departments that deal with Low Vision, and are able to supply magnifiers /telescopes that may help the patient. CCTV devices are also an option. Long term multivitamins and antioxidants can be taken regularly for general retinal health.