Symptoms and Treatment for Optic Neuritis
Optic Neuritis is an acute disorder that primarily affects people between the ages of 20 and 40, though children are also affected by the condition. Women are the primary victims of Optic Neuritis, and tend to suffer by a ratio of 3-to-1. The general definition is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which is the primary pathway that leads from the eyes to the brain.
This inflammation causes pain for the patient, and vision impairment or loss can be a significant symptom when dealing with Optic Neuritis.
Associated Conditions
The exact cause of optic neuritis is not known, but it is associated with a number of various other afflictions. In 20-30% of cases, optic neuritis is seen as the first indication of Multiple Sclerosis. Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, sarcoidosis, and Behcet’s Disease are associated with Optic Neuritis and crytptococcosis, a fungal infection, is also linked to the inflammation.
Bacterial infections are also known to coincide with optic neuritis, including encephalitis, measles, rubella, chickenpox, mumps, and mononucleosis.
Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Treatment
Upon suspicion that a patient is suffering Optic Neuritis, a battery of tests will typically be administered. An optometrist might start by running tests to gauge the patient’s ability to see color. Visual acuity and visual field testing need to be run in order to gauge the exact nature of the impairment. Ophthalmoscopy may be used to examine the optic disc, and an MRI of the brain can also be used to attain images of the optic nerve.
Those who suffer from Optic Neuritis will often exhibit a specific range of symptoms. They are known to experience pain and vision loss, but usually in only one eye. Though it is uncommon, it is possible for both eyes to be affected, and children are far more likely to experience vision disruptions in both eyes. The vision loss is often short-lived, and many times, full vision is restored once the inflammation has been effectively treated, often with steroidal drugs.
Some patients will lose their ability to see colors, yet will remain otherwise unimpaired. Frequently, the patient will not realize that they have lost color vision until an optometrist has them cover the non-affected eye.
With treatment, patients usually experience a full restoration of vision within a few weeks. However, intravenous corticosteroids are often used to speed recovery. Steroidal treatment, it should be noted, is not without side effects.
Complications
After the acute inflammation has cleared up, residual complications may remain. There may be long-term damage to the optical nerve that may or may not be symptomatic. Some will retain a partial loss of color vision and others might experience permanent vision loss to a greater or lesser degree.
During treatment, the corticosteroids might suppress the immune system to the degree that the body contracts secondary infections. Long-term use of steroidal medications can also thin the bones, resulting in osteoporosis. Patients should discuss any and all issues related to treatment with their doctors.
When vision problems or eye pain arises, be sure to check with an optometrist who can assess the problem. A vision professional can discern the nature of the problem and make a diagnosis, which can serve as a guide for future treatment. If Optic Neuritis is diagnosed, it may be wise to move forward to check for other associated eye-related conditions.
[Photo Credit: OhioLionEyeResearch]