Primary tumors of the optic nerve mostly include anterior visual pathway gliomas and optic nerve sheath meningiomas. Both are relatively rare lesions that result in significant visual morbidity. Together, they account for less than 4% of all orbital tumors. There has been controversy about the natural history and appropriate management of these lesions, often resulting from small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. Other primary tumors of the optic nerve have also been described but are extremely rare.