[EvaH (OP)]

Rinaldo wants to know:

Is it possible for degenerated optic nerves to regenerate or be repaired?

Can you help?

[alancalverd]

I think the answer may be a qualified yes, but I don't know of any experimental data.

The reason is that some degeneration (NeuroMyelitis Optica) is caused by an autoimmune attack on the myelin sheath of the nerve. The fact that this tends to occur quite suddenly and in elderly patients suggests a trigger event. There is evidence of various malfunctions caused by interruption of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid due to neck injury. The CSF retained in the cranium, or whatever toxin the CSF is supposed to remove, attacks cranial nerves.

The treatment seems bizarre: chiropractic adjustment of the atloaxial region can demonstrably enhance CSF flow as seen on MRI scans, and several patients have recovered from various debilitating conditions, the most spectacular cases being of two professional footballers (one American football, one soccer) who developed anomalous early dementia, were diagnosed with vertebral displacement and impaired CSF flow, and made extraordinary recoveries after treatment.

I haven't seen this applied to NMO yet but I am trying to recruit suitable cases for investigation.