[Anatomy, physiology, and functional exploration of the optic nerve].

Disturbances of the optic nerve make up a large part of neuro-ophthalmology. They consist in large part of glaucoma and toxic inflammation of the optic nerve (retro-bulbar optic neuropathy). Progress in the understanding of the function of ganglion cells, in particular the discovery of the M and P pathways, comprise a considerable advance in the comprehension of the optic system as a whole. Progress in techniques of studying the visual field, the ERG pattern and imaging of the pupil have an influence on the diagnosis, the follow-up and the initiation of new therapeutic strategies in glaucoma and disorders of the SEP.