Optic neuritis is a condition wherein the optic nerve gets swollen and can lead to absolute or fractional loss of vision.

Causes of Optic neuritis :

Damage and inflammation of the myelin sheath that covers the optic nerve

Multiple sclerosis can also lead to the development of this condition.

Viral and bacterial infections like herpes zoster are also a cause of optic neuritis

Disorders caused by the voluntary self attack of the immune system like lupus can also cause this condition.

Inflammation of the blood vessels called vasculitis is another causal factor.

Medicines such as ethambutol and antitubercular drugs can also lead to optic neuritis.

Symptoms of Optic neuritis:

The primary symptom of optic neuritis is the sudden loss of vision which can be partial or complete in nature.

Blurred or foggy vision.

Experiencing pain while moving the effected eye suddenly.

In most of the cases the patient tends to lose the ability to identify colors or the colors seem to be washed out to the affected eye, whereas the unaffected eye seems to see things normally.

Treatment and Prognosis:

In most of the cases Optic neuritis is temporary and gets cured within eight to ten weeks and functioning of the visual organs becomes normal. Minimal or no permanent damage is done in such cases. However, there are cases wherein the condition can advance to a dangerous stage causing complete or permanent loss of vision.

Systemic intravenous treatment using corticosteroids helps quicken the healing process of the optic nerve and is often given as an option. Oral intake of corticosteroids in patients diagnosed with optic neuritis may prove harmful as it is known to result in recurrent attacks. In very rare cases the sheath around the optic nerve is cut so that the intracranial pressure is decreased.