optic neuritis

what is the treatment for optic neuritis?  how soon afrer it is suspected should treatment begin?  What causes it?  what test  can be preformed to diagnose?  how long does it take to fully recover?

[John C Hagan]

There are many causes of optic neurtis and several treatments. The most common cause of optic neuritis is "idiopathic" which is a big doctor word for "we just don't know why this happens", when a cause is found the most common disease is multiple sclerosis.  Optic neuritis due to MS is treated by doing nothing  OR treating with intravenous steroids for 3 days followed by oral steroids for 7 days. Studies have shown that the vision 6 months after the attack of optic neuritis is about the same in both treated and untreated groups. In the treated groups there is quicker relief of pain (if any) and quicker recovery of vision but also more side effects which occassionally can be very serious. Opitc neuritis can usually be diagnosied with history and physical exam, sometimes visual fields, OCT test VER (visually evoked response), color vision tests, Amsler grid  are  often done. The vision usually changes quickly in the first 6-8 weeks but can take up to 6 months to stabalize. Full recovery often doe NOT occur. Vision can range anywhere from almost completely blind to 20/20 vision but very mild color perception problems.  Treatment should be by a neurologist, neuro-ophthalmologist or an experienced comprehensive ophthalmologist.

You can learn more about the many causes by using an internet search engine and looking up "optic neuritis"  You can also use "Google Images" and search optic neurtiis and you can see what the optic nerve looks like what the visual fields look like.

JCH MD Eye Physician &  Surgeon    Ophthalmologist = Eye MD