Optic neuritis is defined as inflammation of the optic nerve. The condition can abruptly flare-up from a nerve disease or an infection. Take note that the inflammation typically causes brief loss of vision that affects only one eye. Pain is often experienced. As the individual recovers and the inflammation subsides, vision is likely to return.
Optic neuritis does not necessitate treatment and can heal on its own. The recovery can be hastened with the help of corticosteroids. Generally, nearly complete or full vision can recover within 2-3 months, but it might take up to 12 months to achieve visual recovery.
What are the indications?
The usual symptoms of optic neuritis include:
- Loss of vision in one eye that ranges from minor to severe and lasts for 7-10 days.
- Eye pain or discomfort around the eye that is aggravated by eye movement
- Inability to see colors correctly
Other symptoms that might be present include:
- Changes on how the pupil responds to bright light
- Seeing flashing lights in one or both eyes
- Uhthoff’s phenomenon where the vision becomes worse along with a rise in the body temperature
Management of optic neuritis
Generally, an individual with optic neuritis can recover without treatment. If it is caused by another condition, treatment of the specific condition can help resolve optic neuritis.
Some of the commonly used treatment include:
- Intravenous administration of methylprednisolone
- Interferon injections
- Intravenous immunoglobulin
What is the outlook?
Many individuals with optic neuritis might have partial to full recovery of vision within 6-12 months. Afterwards, the healing rates lower and the damage is more lasting. Even with good recovery of vision, many still have fluctuating degree of damage to the optic nerve.