optic neuritis without multiple sclerosis

    
      Re: optic neuritis without multiple sclerosis
    


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Posted by CCF Neurology MD on October 03, 1997 at 12:40:31:

In Reply to: optic neuritis without multiple sclerosis posted by sharon brown on September 30, 1997 at 16:07:19:

: I have just compled a second set of mri's, lumbar punctures and visual evoked potentials to try to pin down the cause of my optic neuritis.
  The ON started 5 years and I now have only 25 percent of my vision in my right eye, while I have all of my vision in my left.
  The tests have all been negative for M.S. The MRI showed some changes that were not significant enough to warrant a diagnosis and the spinal taps were normal.
  The VEP was consistent with ON?
  What else can cause optic neuritis?
  I thought ON and MS went together, if they don't will the ON get worse? what is
  the prognosis?
  thanks
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Dear Sharon:
Optic neuropathy can result from a wide range of disease processes. Acute painful optic neuropathy in young adults, usually from inflammation of the optic nerve, which is termed "optic neuritis", is an important cause or type. Optic neuritis has a very strong association with MS. Other relatively common causes of optic neuropathy include compressive lesions of the optic nerve (such as from a pituitary or brain tumor or an aneurysm), and vasculopathy (such as from atherosclerosis or giant cell arteritis). Besides these, there are numerous other rare causes of optic neuropathy.
Judging from your numerous previous questions, I understand that you have many other neurological symptoms which may or may not be attributed to MS.
Without actually getting to see you and all your records in the clinical setting, I feel it is very difficult for us to comment any further on your neurological problems.
If you are as keen on having all your questions answered by us, as you seem to be, you should call up [phone] for an appointment with one of the neurologists specializing in multiple sclerosis at the Mellen Center affiliated to the Cleveland Clinic.
Good Luck!