What is optic neuritis?
The Disco Era is over, so there's no reason you should see flashing lights. So, if things do look groovy all of a sudden, you could have optic neuritis, a condition associated with inflammation of the optic nerve. Left untreated, optic neuritis may lead to permanent vision loss, so it's important to see an eye care professional right away.
What is optic neuritis? An overview
At the back of each eye, you have an optic nerve responsible for feeding information to the brain. Optic neuritis develops when one of these nerves becomes inflamed, interfering with its normal function. Inflammation damages nerve fibers, making it more difficult for the optic nerve to carry messages from the retina to the brain.
Common optic neuritis symptoms
The most common optic neuritis symptoms include eye pain, loss of visual acuity, color vision loss, or visual field defects. Visual acuity refers to the sharpness of your vision.
If you have a case of atypical optic neuritis, you may not experience any pain, which is a double-edged sword. No one likes pain, but if you don't experience any discomfort, you may not seek professional care right away, causing your optic neuritis to worsen.
What causes optic neuritis?
Optic neuritis has several potential causes.
Identifying risk factors
You have an increased risk of developing optic neuritis if you have an autoimmune disorder, which causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue. It's also possible to develop optic neuritis due to an infection or exposure to some toxin.
Some people even experience optic neuritis after taking prescription medications. This is known as toxic optic neuropathy. Certain antibiotics, antimalarial agents, chemotherapy drugs, and medications used to treat tuberculosis have been associated with inflammation of the optic nerve.
Connections to other medical conditions
There's also a strong link between optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis. In people with MS, the immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerve cells. Damage to this protective covering, known as the myelin sheath, makes it difficult for the nerve cells to communicate. Up to 50% of all individuals with MS develop optic neuritis at some point.
How is optic neuritis diagnosed?
To receive an optic neuritis diagnosis, you need to visit an eye doctor for a thorough exam.
Diagnostic procedures
The diagnostic process begins with an eye exam designed to assess your visual acuity, pupil reflexes, and ability to see color. Your eye care professional should also conduct a slit lamp exam, which uses a specialized microscope to see every part of your eyes.
Your eye doctor may also recommend optic coherence tomography or visual evoked potentials to determine if your symptoms are the result of optic neuritis. Optic coherence tomography is a painless test that uses light waves to take pictures of certain eye structures. The Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) test helps medical professionals understand how well your eyes and brain work together.
Importance of early detection
A timely diagnosis may help prevent lasting complications, so it's important to detect optic neuritis as early as possible.
Treating optic neuritis
Optic neuritis focuses on reducing inflammation, making steroids one of the most common treatment options. Don't worry — you won't bulk up like your favorite powerlifter. Steroids simply suppress your immune system so it can't attack the healthy tissue in your eyes. If steroids don't work, your eye doctor may recommend plasma exchange therapy.
Long-term management
To prevent optic neuritis from returning, it's important to manage any health conditions that might cause inflammation. If you have an autoimmune disorder, for example, you should continue taking your prescribed medications to keep inflammation at bay.
Optic neuritis vs. glaucoma
Although optic neuritis and glaucoma both cause eye pain, they're separate conditions.
Key differences
The main difference between optic neuritis and glaucoma is that glaucoma typically occurs due to increased eye pressure instead of inflammation. Glaucoma also causes symptoms that optic neuritis doesn't, such as headaches, halos around lights, nausea, vomiting, tunnel vision, and blind spots.
If you have glaucoma, you also have different treatment options. For example, your eye doctor may recommend drops to reduce the pressure in your eyes. Some people with glaucoma require laser therapy or surgery. Unlike optic neuritis, glaucoma is a progressive condition, so you may need to use drops for the rest of your life after receiving a diagnosis.
Protect your optic nerve
When it comes to making sense of the world around you, your eyes are your biggest ally. Protect these precious orbs by getting regular eye exams, especially if you have symptoms of optic neuritis.
Frequently asked questions
Below, you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about optic neuritis.
What are the first signs of optic neuritis?
The first signs of optic neuritis are eye pain and temporary vision loss.
Can optic neuritis lead to permanent vision loss?
Yes. About 20% of people with optic neuritis experience some degree of permanent vision loss.
Is optic neuritis contagious?
No. Although optic neuritis may develop after you have an infection, the condition isn't contagious. You can't get optic neuritis by spending time with someone who has it.