Optic neuritis is an eye condition caused by inflammation of the optic nerve. This condition most often appears in people between 20 and 40 years old. The causes and severity of the inflammation vary. However, most cases of optic neuritis heal spontaneously. What is optic neuritis? What are its causes and symptoms? Find out more about this eye condition.
What causes optic neuritis?
An infectious disease can cause optic neuritis but can also be related to a dysfunction of your immune system. This is why a medical diagnosis is necessary to determine the exact cause and determine the proper treatment.
Infectious diseases that may be related to optic neuritis include:
- Viral encephalitis
- Sinusitis
- Meningitis
- Tuberculosis
- Syphilis
- HIV
It has been observed that most cases of optic neuritis result from a disease affecting the immune system. Moreover, optic neuritis is an inaugural symptom of multiple sclerosis.
If you have multiple sclerosis, you may experience optic neuritis relapses. Therefore, people with MS should have regular eye exams.
There are other causes of optic neuritis, including:
- Tumour metastases of the optic nerve
- Neuromyelitis Optica
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Antibody diseases associated with Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOGAD)
Is there a link between stress and optic neuritis?
Although stress is not a cause of optic neuritis, it can worsen symptoms. Symptoms can be exacerbated by stress, fatigue and heat. For example, the pain can be aggravated when an affected person takes a hot bath or does sports.
What are the symptoms of optic neuritis?
Symptoms vary from person to person and can occur within hours or days. They usually affect one eye and, more rarely, both eyes.
People with optic neuritis often begin by experiencing pain in the back of the eye. This eye pain may be more noticeable when they move their eyes.
Decreased visual acuity is the other main symptom of optic neuritis. This vision impairment may begin with blurred vision and lead to ocular blindness. Obscure or black spots may also appear. Colours may appear less vibrant and distinctive.
How long does optic neuritis last?
The duration varies from person to person. In general, recovery of visual acuity begins two weeks after the first symptoms. And for the recovery to be complete, it takes another 4 to 6 weeks.
It is not uncommon for optic neuritis to heal spontaneously. However, since the symptoms can quickly worsen, it is best to consult an eye doctor for prevention. Rapid treatment will sometimes be necessary to limit the risk of after-effects.
What are the treatments for optic neuritis?
Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. If there is no infection, treatments are generally initiated with corticosteroids. They are particularly effective when optic neuritis is caused by multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica.
When corticosteroid treatments are not sufficiently effective, plasma exchange can be performed. This consists of cleaning the blood to remove the inflammatory molecules responsible for the inflammation of the optic nerve.
Eye pain and blurred vision are symptoms that should never be ignored. If you are experiencing any of these, we recommend you make an appointment to have your eyes examined by an eye doctor.
