Learn About Optic Neuritis

What is the definition of Optic Neuritis?

The optic nerve carries images of what the eye sees to the brain. When this nerve become swollen or inflamed, it is called optic neuritis. It may cause sudden, reduced vision in the affected eye.

What are the alternative names for Optic Neuritis?

Retro-bulbar neuritis; Multiple sclerosis - optic neuritis; Optic nerve - optic neuritis

What are the causes of Optic Neuritis?

The exact cause of optic neuritis is unknown.

The optic nerve carries visual information from your eye to the brain. The nerve can swell when it becomes inflamed. The swelling can damage nerve fibers. This can cause short or long-term loss of vision.

Conditions that have been linked with optic neuritis include:

  • Autoimmune diseases, including lupus, sarcoidosis, and Behçet disease
  • Cryptococcosis, a fungal infection
  • Bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, syphilis, Lyme disease, and meningitis
  • Viral infections, including viral encephalitis, measles, rubella, chickenpox, herpes zoster, mumps, and mononucleosis
  • Respiratory infections, including mycoplasma pneumonia and other common upper respiratory tract infections
  • Multiple sclerosis
What are the symptoms of Optic Neuritis?

Symptoms may include:

  • Loss of vision in one eye over an hour or a few hours
  • Changes in the way the pupil reacts to bright light
  • Loss of color vision
  • Pain when you move your eye
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What are the current treatments for Optic Neuritis?

Vision often returns to normal within 2 to 3 weeks with no treatment.

Corticosteroids given through a vein (IV) or taken by mouth (oral) may speed up recovery. However, the final vision is no better with steroids than without. Oral steroids may actually increase the chance of recurrence.

If tests suggest that there is also multiple sclerosis, other types of treatment may be helpful.

Further tests may be needed to try to find the cause of the neuritis. If there is a condition causing the problem, it may be able to be treated.

Who are the top Optic Neuritis Local Doctors?
Elite in Optic Neuritis
Elite in Optic Neuritis

University Of Virginia Physicians Group

1221 Lee St, 
Charlottesville, VA 
Languages Spoken:
English, Hebrew
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Brian Weinshenker is a Neurologist in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Weinshenker and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Optic Neuritis. His top areas of expertise are Transverse Myelitis, Neuromyelitis Optica, Optic Neuritis, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Dr. Weinshenker is currently accepting new patients.

Elite in Optic Neuritis
Elite in Optic Neuritis

New York University

111 Broadway, 
New York, NY 
Languages Spoken:
English

Laura Balcer is a Neurologist in New York, New York. Dr. Balcer and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Optic Neuritis. Her top areas of expertise are Optic Neuritis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Concussion, and Brown Syndrome.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Optic Neuritis
Elite in Optic Neuritis

New York University

111 Broadway, 
New York, NY 
Languages Spoken:
English

Steven Galetta is a Neurologist in New York, New York. Dr. Galetta and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Optic Neuritis. His top areas of expertise are Optic Neuritis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Brown Syndrome, Concussion, and Thrombectomy.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Optic Neuritis?

When optic neuritis occurs without other diseases, there is a better prognosis. An MRI is an important test because it can help predict if multiple sclerosis or other similar autoimmune diseases are present or may develop.

Optic neuritis caused by multiple sclerosis or other autoimmune diseases has a poorer outlook. However, vision in the affected eye may still return to normal.

What are the possible complications of Optic Neuritis?

Complications may include:

  • Body-wide side effects from corticosteroids
  • Vision loss

Some people who have an episode of optic neuritis will develop nerve problems in other places in the body or develop multiple sclerosis.

When should I contact a medical professional for Optic Neuritis?

Contact your health care provider right away if you have a sudden loss of vision in one eye, especially if you have eye pain.

If you have been diagnosed with optic neuritis, contact your provider if:

  • Your vision decreases.
  • The pain in the eye gets worse.
  • Your symptoms do not improve within 2 to 3 weeks.
What are the latest Optic Neuritis Clinical Trials?
Impact of a Structured Wellness Behavioral Intervention on Quality of Life in NMOSD

Summary: This project aims to study whether a structured wellness program intervention can improve quality of life among people living with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). This pilot will test a multi-modal wellness program tailored to NMOSD patients that includes services from physical therapists, dietitians, social workers, nurse practitioners and cognitive therapists. The trial will be d...

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Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: January 29, 2024
Published By: Audrey Tai, DO, MS, Athena Eye Care, Mission Viejo, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Bennett JL. Optic neuritis. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2019;25(5):1236-1264. PMID: 31584536 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31584536/.

Calabresi PA. Multiple sclerosis and demyelinating conditions of the central nervous system. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 380.

Filipi M, Jack S. Interferons in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: a clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability update. Int JMS Care. 2020;22(4):165-172. PMID: 32863784 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32863784/.

Moss HE, Balcer LJ. Inflammatory optic neuropathies and neuroretinitis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 9.7.

Thurtell MJ, Prasad S, Tomsak RL. Neuro-ophthalmology: afferent visual system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 16.