Pilocytic astrocytoma, light micrograph. Optic nerve gliomas are爌ilocytic astrocytomas爐hat may燼rise sporadically or燽e seen in the setting of爊eurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)爑sually in the爌ediatric age group. Most patients present燽etween the ages of 2 and 6 yrs. with爑nilateral loss of vision燼nd燼xial proptosis. About 15% of patients with NF1 will develop optic nerve glioma.燭his high magnification view shows long, delicate hair-like processes and bland nuclei. Optic nerve gliomas are爂rade I astrocytomas爐hat can cause significant morbidity given their location.