An MRI does show optic nerve damage.
MRI scans are a key part of and way of diagnosing conditions like optic nerve damage and optic neuritis and even other neurological conditions you may have.
MRI scans can also reveal any abnormalities that can occur with the optic nerve, like swelling, increased intensity on T2- weighted images and even contrast enhancement.
The findings on an MRI can for optic nerve damage can help to identify the cause of your optic nerve damage and also asses your risk of any certain neurological diseases including multiple sclerosis.
Optic nerve damage doesn't always mean you have glaucoma as it can be caused by other issues even though glaucoma is also a major cause of optic nerve damage, other things can also lead to optic nerve damage other than glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a condition in which damage to your optic nerve, which connects your retina to your brain, can lead to blindness and vision loss.
The optic nerve damage is often linked to increased pressure inside your eye.
Poor blood flow to your optic nerve is the most common cause of optic nerve damage.
Optic nerve damage is often referred to as ischemic optic neuropathy.
Other causes of optic nerve damage include glaucoma, optic neuritis, trauma, infections, diabetes, toxic substances and optic nerve head drusen.
Bacterial infections which include Lyme disease, syphilis, cat scratch fever and other viruses such as measles, mumps and herpes can also cause optic neuritis.
Glaucoma causes elevated pressure within the eye and can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
Optic neuritis which is inflammation of the optic nerve can be caused by various things including autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or lupus and infections or even post viral infections.
Injuries to the eye or head can also lead to optic nerve damage.
And tumors can compress your optic nerve and cause damage.
Some infections such as measles and syphilis can also damage your optic nerve.
Diabetic retinopathy which is a complication of diabetes can cause optic nerve damage.
Exposure to some certain chemicals and toxic substances can also damage your optic nerve.
And Optic nerve head drusen which is deposits of protein and calcium salts can form on your optic nerve head and restrict blood flow and potentially restrict the blood flow and potentially cause optic nerve damage.