Neuro-ophthalmology
What is optic neuritis?
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve. It typically causes vision in one eye to blur or dim over hours to days, pain on moving the eye, and loss of colour intensity so that reds look faded. It usually affects younger adults. Vision often recovers substantially over weeks, but assessment is needed to look for an underlying cause.
Typical symptoms
- Blurring or dimming of vision in one eye developing over hours to days
- Ache behind the eye, worse on looking around
- Colours, especially red, looking washed out in the affected eye
- A central blur or blank patch
- Vision that temporarily worsens with heat or exercise
Why it happens
Optic neuritis results from inflammation that damages the insulating sheath around nerve fibres. It can occur on its own, or as part of a wider condition such as multiple sclerosis or other inflammatory disorders of the nervous system. It can also follow infection. Establishing the cause matters because it changes both treatment and follow up.
Assessment
Vision, colour vision, pupil responses and visual fields are tested, and the optic disc is examined, which may look swollen or entirely normal early on. Depending on the findings, imaging of the brain and orbits and blood tests are arranged, and neurological review may be needed.
Treatment and outlook
Many people recover useful vision over several weeks without specific treatment, though some loss of contrast or colour can persist. Steroid treatment is used in selected cases, generally to speed recovery rather than to change the final level of vision, and it is a decision made with the specialist looking after you. Any treatment for an underlying condition is directed by the appropriate neurological service.
When to seek urgent assessment
- Vision loss in both eyes at once, or severe loss that keeps worsening, which needs urgent assessment
- Vision loss with weakness, numbness, bladder problems or difficulty walking
- Severe pain, a bulging eye or fever, which suggests a different and urgent diagnosis
Frequently asked questions
- Does optic neuritis always mean multiple sclerosis?
- No. It can be an isolated event. It does carry an increased chance of multiple sclerosis in some people, which is why imaging and neurological assessment are arranged.
- How long does recovery take?
- Vision commonly begins improving within two to four weeks and continues over several months. Recovery is often good but not always complete.
Concerned about these symptoms?
Arrange an eye examination with our consultant ophthalmologist in Garki, Abuja.
Related answers
- What does it mean if my optic nerve is damaged?
- What if my vision is poor but my eyes look normal?
- What does loss of side vision mean?
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