ally abel
Full Poster
Anatomy of the Optic Nerve Head
This anatomical illustration depicts the normal anatomy of the optic nerve head (ONH), highlighting each distinct region. A diagram in the upper left orients the viewer to the region of interest in the main image on the left, which depicts a sagittal section of the eye and optic nerve from a superior-oblique view. The optic nerve and a section of nerve fiber layer project outward from the section to illustrate their relative sizes in three dimensions. In the first column of insets to the right, a slice of each ONH region is isolated and enlarged to clarify the specific regional blood supply, unique structures, and the axonal organization characteristic of each region.
Each ONH region has a unique astrocytic organization that is important for regional classification. A section of 2-3 bundles of axons in each regional slice are featured in a second column of insets to illustrate this astrocytic organization.
CLIENT
Dr. Jacob Kanter – JHU SOM Wilmer Eye Institute
ROLE
Medical Illustrator: Responsible for thumbnail sketches through final illustration, incorporating subject-matter expert feedback to ensure anatomical accuracy
AUDIENCE
Ophthalmology residents
YEAR
2025
MEDIA
Adobe Photoshop
A DETAILED LOOK
Detail of regional and astrocytic anatomy
Detail of laminar region of ONH
THUMBNAILS & RESEARCH
Thumbnailing helps organize information and provide visual previews for the client. Experimenting with different layouts and environments in the thumbnails helps me develop the most effective solution.
Preliminary sketches to understand ONH anatomy and important structures
DRAFTS
Experimenting with different graphic elements to organize information as the rendering develops.
First draft of the illustration with final lines and color fills for each of the structures
Preliminary rendered draft of the illustration
BEHIND THE SCENES
3D modeling a basic version of the optic nerve head helped me develop my final illustration. Because the histological slides didn’t provide any dimensional information, modeling was critical to ensure I organized the different tissue layers appropriately.
Rough 3D model of ONH in Cinema 4D
Linework for ONH