Definition
Optic neuritis involves inflammation of the optic nerve, which may cause sudden, partial loss of vision in the affected eye.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The cause of optic neuritis is unknown. Sudden inflammation of the optic nerve (the nerve connecting the eye and the brain) leads to swelling and destruction of its outer shell, called the myelin sheath. The inflammation may occasionally be the result of a viral infection or it may be caused by autoimmune diseases such as Multiple sclerosis. Risk factors are related to the possible causes.

Symptoms

 
• Acute loss of vision in one eye  
• Loss of color vision  
• Pain on movement of the eye  
• Decreased constriction of the pupil of the affected eye in bright light

Signs and tests

A complete medical examination is usually used to rule out associated diseases. Tests may include the following:

 
• visual acuity testing  
• Color vision testing  
• Visualization of the optic disc by indirect ophthalmoscopy  
• MRI of the brain to test for Multiple sclerosis

Treatment

visual acuity often returns to normal within two to three weeks with no treatment.

Intravenous corticosteroid therapy may accelerate visual recovery but may be associated with systemic side effects. Oral corticosteroid therapy may increase the risk of recurrence and is seldom used for initial therapy. It may be used after initial intravenous corticosteroid therapy.

Further tests may be needed to determine the cause of the neuritis, and the condition causing the problem would then be treated.

Expectations (prognosis)
Optic neuritis without underlying disease such as Multiple sclerosis has a good prognosis for recovery. Optic neuritis resulting from Multiple sclerosis, or other autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosis, is associated with a poorer prognosis.

Complications

 
• Systemic side effects of therapy  
• vision loss

About 20% of patients with a first episode of optic neuritis will develop Multiple sclerosis

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider immediately if sudden loss of vision in one eye occurs.

If you have optic neuritis, call your health care provider if vision decreases, pain in the eye develops, or if symptoms do not improve with treatment.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.