Optic Neuriris

[sidewaysvision]

Hello , I am from Ireland  I was diagnosed with optic neuritic in 2007 i was 12 , i went through my episode , i lost my vision completely in my left eye but the vision came back after a blast of IV Steriods i was tested for MS to had loads of MRI Scans and a lumber puncture done , the lumber puncture showed up some white lesions so did the MRI but they said I did not have MS thank god !! I am 19 now 20 in November, and I was diagnosed with a second blast in my right eye in September of this year I had all the MRI scans again and the lumber puncture done and no sign of MS showed up this time either , I had my course of IV steroids but the vision in my right eye has not recovered , so I still have very limited in my right eye. They said the chances of it coming back was not good , but i am terrified that it might *** back and attack my left eye again and could be left blind ! could u broaden my knowledge? looking forward to hearing from you :)

[sidewaysvision]

Thank You so much , i really appreciate your comment , it helped me understand it a little bit better , i will look into talking b12 and vitiman D , and hopefully it will help things :)

[TheLightSeeker]

Hi sidewaysvision.

It must be hard to live with this type of condition, which has many etiologies.
The inflammation of the optic nerve and damage to the myelin sheath, is actually what optic neuritis is caused by.
So, it's a process of elimination of  underlying conditions, starting with MS, the most likely one, which has already been ruled out.
Other conditions to rule out: bacterial infections like Lyme's, cat scratch disease etc, or viral like herpes, measles etc which can all affect the myelin sheath of the optical nerve and cause inflammation as well at the same time, or A/I conditions like Neuromyelitis optica, Lupus, Sarcoidosis etc.

Certain deficiencies must be ruled out as well, since they could be causative factors. Look into Methylocobalamin (Neurological B12) deficiency, which does not show on standard mma tests.
A separate homosysteine test, usually detects this, however, homocysteine levels can vary. My opinion is a Methylocobalamin trial, sublingual drops or tablets, would serve you better.
Vitamin D3 levels should be checked also.

There are other ON causes like drug induced or hereditary-gene mutations.

You have a better long-term prognosis for your vision than patients with multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica if the latter gets ruled out as well, with a much lower risk for recurrence and most return to near normal vision
within a year after the initial onset.

My comments are not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

Best wishes.
Niko