There is no definite time frame for how long it takes for optic nerve atrophy to progress to blindness. If the condition is controlled in time, blindness can be avoided; if it is not treated in time, it may progress to blindness within months or even days. Optic nerve atrophy is not a stand-alone disease. Many causes can lead to optic nerve atrophy, such as glaucoma, optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, and optic nerve contusion. The progression to blindness and the time it takes to progress to blindness generally varies with different causes as well as different degrees of severity. Patients with glaucoma can avoid blindness by stopping the progression of the disease if the intraocular pressure is controlled with timely treatment, but if treatment is not timely, blindness may develop within a few days to a few months at the shortest. Ischemic optic neuropathy causes optic nerve atrophy, but usually does not progress to blindness. Optic nerve contusion and optic neuritis may cause blindness immediately after the onset of the disease, but some patients may regain their sight with treatment. Regardless of the cause of optic nerve atrophy, prompt medical attention and aggressive treatment are recommended to maximize the prognosis.