Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis causes loss of vision that is usually unilateral (more common in adults) but is sometimes bilateral (more common in children). It is caused by demyelination of the optic nerve and has a gradual onset (hours to days). Optic neuritis is a common finding in multiple sclerosis (MS). In some patients it is related to a previous (4 to 6 weeks), nonspecific viral illness. Other possible causes should be investigated, including sarcoidosis, SLE, toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, HIV, CMV, and syphilis.

Causes

• Optic Neuritis is a variable condition it may cause by the several conditions such as includes blurring of vision, loss of some or all colour vision, complete or partial blindness and pain behind the eye.
• Inflammation of the optic nerve may causes loss of vision usually due to the swelling and destruction of the myelin sheath covering the optic nerve.
• Optic Neuritis may also cause by viral-bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders and the inflammation of vessels nourishing the optic nerve.

Symptoms

• Loss of vision can range from minimal loss to no light perception.
• Loss of vision is usually associated with decreased color vision and light intensity perception.
• Pain with eye movement is very common.

Signs

• Afferent pupillary defect (varying degrees)
• Central scotoma or arcuate visual field defects are possible.
• Optic nerve head may appear swollen with edema and possible retinal hemorrhages.
• Optic nerve head may appear normal if retrobulbar optic neuritis is present (more common in adults)

Treatment

• You can use systemic intravenous treatment for Optic Neuritis with corticosteroids, because it may quicken the healing of the optic nerve, prevent complete loss of vision, and delay the onset of other multiple sclerosis symptoms, is often recommended.
• Optic neuritis usually occurs suddenly. If you develop any of the symptoms such as includes blurred vision in one or both eyes, dim vision, abnormal color vision, pain behind the eye, then call your ophthalmologist. By looking in the back of your eye with an instrument known as the ophthalmoscope, your ophthalmologist can see any optic nerve swelling. For the treatment of Optic Neuritis ophthalmologist perform tests such as color vision, side vision.