With this syndrome, the optic nerve is too small in diameter for light to get back to the brain and without light, vision does not develop. Currently, there is no way to correct the optical nerve problem as it is part of the brain. It will take a medical breakthrough to help those with optic nerve blindness to see. The extent of pituitary hormone involvement varies from growth hormone deficiency to panhypopituitarism. These problems are treated with hormone replacement therapy.
Symptoms are present at birth and primarily include decreased or no vision.
A child that falls off the growth chart will alert professionals of a possible growth hormone deficiency. The cause of SOD is not known. There is no evidence that this is a hereditary disorder. It is a rare disorder that affects males and females in equal numbers. Currently, it is thought that SOD is a more involved level of Optic Nerve Hypoplasia.