Abstract: Objective To analyze the etiology of nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping and the differentiation with glaucomatous optic disc cupping. Design Retrospective case series. Participants Twelve cases with 19 eyes of nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping. Methods The morphology of optic disc and clinical data of these cases were analyzed. Main Outcome Measures Etiology, morphological characteristics of optic disc and visual function. Results Of the 12 cases, four were with optic neuritis, one with Devic disease, one with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, two with pituitary adenoma, one with cerebral hemorrhage in basal ganglia, one with ciliary artery obstruction and central retinal vein occlusion, one with central retinal artery occlusion, and one with optic nerve injuries. In all patients the optic cupping shows diffuse excavation or focal notch with pale rim. The visual field defect was corresponding to the primary diseases. Conclusions Both optic nerve diseases and retinal diseases can cause nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping. The key points to differentiate nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping with glaucomatous lie in the color of optic disc rim, notched disc and the correlation between visual field defect and disc appearance.  （Ophthalmol CHN, 2012, 21: 306-309）

Key words: optic nerve atrophy, nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping