A disorder characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve. Causes include autoimmune disorders, infections, toxins, drugs, and multiple sclerosis. It may manifest with acute loss of vision and pain
Symptoms of optic neuritis
The following features are indicative of optic neuritis:
vision loss in one eye
seeing flashing lights with eye movement
seeing flickering lights with eye movement
loss of color vision
pain on eye movement
visual field loss
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Common Causes of optic neuritis
The following are the most common causes of optic neuritis:
multiple sclerosis
neuromyelitis optica
infection
sarcoidosis
lupus
use of quinine
Risk Factors for optic neuritis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of optic neuritis:
adult age between 20 and 40
being women
White people
genetic mutations
Prevention of optic neuritis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent optic neuritis.
Occurrence of optic neuritis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of optic neuritis cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
optic neuritis most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 20-35 years
Common Gender
optic neuritis most commonly occurs in the following gender:
Female
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of optic neuritis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect optic neuritis:
Routine eye exam: To check eye vision
Ophthalmoscopy: To examine the structures at the back of eye
Pupillary light reaction test: To see how pupils respond
MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging): To make pictures of body
Blood test: To check for antibodies for neuromyelitis optica
OCT (Optical coherence tomography): To measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer
Visual evoked response test: To record brain's responses to the visual stimuli
Complications of optic neuritis if untreated
Yes, optic neuritis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if optic neuritis is left untreated:
optic nerve damage
decreased visual acuity
side effects of treatment such as mood changes, weight gain and infection
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of optic neuritis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of optic neuritis:
Plasma exchange therapy: Helps to recover vision and treat optic neuritis
