Optic atrophy. Ophthalmoscope view of the retina of the eye in a patient suffering optic atrophy. This condition results from degeneration of the optic nerve. The optic nerve and retinal blood vessels (red) enter the retina at the optic disc (at centre). In optic atrophy the optic disc has different colours (as seen here), from normal yellow outer edges to an abnormally white colour in the centre of the disc. The whiteness indicates optic atrophy. It is a condition which can cause partial or complete loss of vision. Optic atrophy may be secondary to disease within the eye or may be due to nerve damage from an injury. It is often related to multiple sclerosis.