Optic Neuritis and Neuromyelitis optica

Optic neuritis usually affects only one eye but in a few disorders bilateral visual loss is reported. The patient may experience eye pain that intensifies with movement of the eyeballs, partial or total loss of vision, loss of colour perception or seeing flashing lights.

The exact cause of optic neuritis is unknown. It is generally considered to be caused by an auto-immune response and is associated with conditions like multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, or an MOG antibody disorder. For a few patients it can happen after infections like mumps, measles, tuberculosis, Lyme disease, sinusitis or meningitis.

Patients with multiple sclerosis and Neuromyelitis optica are more likely than others to develop optic neuritis. The disease appears to be more common in females between the ages of 20 and 40 years.

Optic neuritis could result in complications even after the symptoms have resolved. They patient may have permanent optic nerve damage, and vision changes. The drugs prescribed for the treatment of optic neuritis could also cause weight gain and mood swings.

Optic neuritis is diagnosed on the basis of a routine eye exam, vision tests, a pupillary response test, an ophthalmoscopy to check if the optic nerve is swollen and possibly a lumbar puncture or a spinal tap.

In most cases of optic neuritis, treatment with intravenous steroids will help in hastening the recovery. A few severe cases might require plasma exchange therapy.

Optic neuritis currently has no preventative strategies.