Optic neuritis is an inflammation
of the eye's optic nerve.
In order for you to see, the
optic nerve carries nerve impulses from the eye to the brain, where they are
interpreted as images. Damage or infection of the optic nerve can
affect vision significantly.
What are the Symptoms of
Optic Neuritis?
Optic neuritis may occur in
one or both eyes. Symptoms may appear suddenly or more
slowly (over a few days) and may include:
- blurred vision
- dim vision (like someone turned down
the lights)
- abnormal color vision (colors appear
dull and faded)
- pain in the back of the eye socket
- pain when moving the eyes
The symptoms may get worse with heat or
exhaustion, particularly when exercising or taking a bath. If optic
neuritis goes undiagnosed and untreated, the symptoms may continue to get
worse.
If you experience any of these
symptoms, contact Dr. Cano or Dr. Manning an eye examination.
To investigate your symptoms, your ophthalmologist may:
- check for swelling of your optic nerve
by examining the eye with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope
- perform visual tests for color and
side vision
- check the reaction of your pupil to
light
- perform other tests such as
ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) scans, or visual brain wave recordings.
What Causes Optic
Neuritis?
Optic neuritis is associated with various
diseases and conditions, such as:
- mumps
- measles
- influenza
- multiple sclerosis
- Leber's optic neuropathy (a rare eye
condition that runs in families)
In many cases, however, optic neuritis
occurs with no known cause.
How is optic neuritis
treated?
For some patients, medication
called corticosteroids may be used to treat optic neuritis.
Fortunately, many people recover normal vision without any treatment.
In most cases, vision will either improve significantly or return to normal.
Some patients, however, may not recover their normal vision, particularly if
they have a pre-existing condition such as multiple sclerosis.
|
