optic nerve

noun

: either of the second pair of cranial nerves that pass from the retina to the optic chiasma and conduct visual stimuli to the brain see eye illustration

Examples of optic nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lutein can help lower the risk of glaucoma by protecting against optic nerve damage. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 31 Oct. 2024

Now, new research by the UK Dementia research Institute at the University of Cambridge has shown that a drug commonly used to treat glaucoma—an eye condition whereby the optic nerve becomes damaged—may also clear these tau protein clumps. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

When that happens, the tumors are usually big enough to compress the optic nerve, which triggers vision loss. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

This habit can increase the risk of AMD and cataracts and damage the optic nerve. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

optic nerve

noun

: either of a pair of sensory nerves that are the second pair of cranial nerves and carry visual information from the retina of the eye to the brain

Medical Definition

optic nerve

noun

: either of the pair of sensory nerves that comprise the second pair of cranial nerves, arise from the ventral part of the diencephalon, form an optic chiasma before passing to the eye and spreading over the anterior surface of the retina, and conduct visual stimuli to the brain

called also second cranial nerve