Optic Neuritis: Review easily through Flashcards

What is meant by the term “optic neuritis” (ON)?

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve.

What are the causes of optic neuritis?

By far the most common form is idiopathic optic neuritis. As the name indicates, the cause is unknown. It is a primary demyelinating disease that occurs either in isolation or as part of multiple sclerosis (MS).

What are the clinical features of optic neuritis?

Optic neuritis causes pain in the affected eye, which can be subacute or acute.
There is pain with eye movements as well.
Loss of vision, typically with central or centrocaecal scotomas, usually reaches a nadir at approximately 1 to 2 weeks.

How long does it take for optic neuritis to recover?

Optic neuritis recovers over several months, with ultimate visual acuity that is possibly reduced but rarely severely so.

Which portion of the optic nerve is involved in optic neuritis?

Optic neuritis may involve the retrobulbar (retrobulbar neuritis) portion, the intrabulbar (papillitis) portion, or both portions of the optic nerve.

What investigations would you like to carry out in patients with idiopathic optic neuritis?

MRI brain can help to predict the risk of conversion to MS and can aid in making decisions for early use of disease-modifying treatments (such as interferon-beta, glatiramer acetate) that reduce the risk of conversion to MS.