What does having optical neuropathy mean?

Optic nerve damage: Optic neuropathy means that you have optic nerve damage due to some cause. See an eye doctor.

Nonspecific term: Any pathology affecting the optic nerve could be described this way. However, the cause needs to be uncovered, as one could have ischemic process due to atherosclerosis, optic neuritis due to multiple sclerosis, compression of optic nerve due to tumor, etc. So, if vision is being lost, need attention asap.

Optic nerve issue: Optic neuropathy is the over riding term for disease of the optic nerve. This can be from several causes of which mutlple sclerosis is the most common. When this occurs the vision in the involved eye is disturbed, color vision is diminished and sometimes the eye hurts to move much. This needs immediate attention by your ophthalmologist who will refer you most likely to a neuroophthalmologist.