Optic neuritis
La optic neuritis is an eye disease that consists of swelling or inflammation of the optic nerve. It is a serious illness since the brain depends on the optic nerve so that visual signals can reach it, without it we would go blind.
Inflammatory optic neuritis may be in the front of, in which case it is known as papillitis, or in the rearKnown as retrobulbar optic neuritis.
Optic neuritis
La optic neuritis is an eye disease that consists of swelling or inflammation of the optic nerve. It is a serious illness since the brain depends on the optic nerve so that visual signals can reach it, without it we would go blind.
Inflammatory optic neuritis may be in the front of, in which case it is known as papillitis, or in the rearKnown as retrobulbar optic neuritis.
What is optic neuritis?
La optic neuritis also known as inflamed optic nerve It is a condition that occurs when the optic nerve becomes inflamed. Because the optic nerve he is in charge of transmit images that catch the eyes to the brain so that this body can interpret them, its inflammation can compromise the visual system leading to a sudden reduction or loss of vision in the affected eye.
Although the disease can occur at any age, it is most common to begin to manifest between the ages of 20 and 30, with a prevalence of 75% in women. In patients 50 over years optic nerve involvement usually has a different origin, not so much inflammatory but circulatory, as is the case with the ischemic optic neuropathy. Optic neuritis or inflamed optic nerve is one of the optic nerve injuries more frequent, in Spain affects about 42.000 people, with an incidence of 90 per 100.000 inhabitants.
Causes of optic neuritis
Our causes by which the optic neuritis unknown, occurring in some patients without being able to determine exactly why the optic nerve is inflamed. However, some diseases can increase the chances of the optic nerve becoming inflamed giving rise to this pathology, therefore the appearance of Optic neuritis has been associated with patients who:
- They suffer autoimmune diseases such as lupus, sarcoidosis or Behcet's disease.
- Have suffered viral diseases such as chickenpox, herpes zoster, rubella, mumps, mononucleosis, or sarampion. This is one of the main causes of neuritis in children under 12 years.
- They have suffered bacterial infections like meningitis, tuberculosis, syphilis, or Lyme disease.
- suffer or have suffered from respiratory infections.
- One of the causes of optic neuritis is associated with demyelinating conditions such as multiple sclerosisIn fact, an acute episode of optic neuritis may be the initial sign of multiple sclerosis.
Symptoms of optic neuritis
This condition manifests itself with various signs that require evaluation by an ophthalmologist. Main optic neuritis symptoms are:
- Sudden decrease in vision in one or two eyes.
- Blurred vision.
- Pain when moving the eyes. Typically, the pain is retrobulbar similar to that of sinusitis, reaching its maximum severity within the first 24 to 36 hours, and resolving spontaneously after 48 to 72 hours. If the pain persists for a week, the ophthalmologist should suspect other causes of optic neuropathy.
- Lack of color intensity They are perceived.
- Problems for perceive el gloss or the depth.
El 50% of patients report Uhthoff's phenomenonIe transient episodes of dim light with blurred vision and low color intensity, caused by el physical exercise or by temperature changes, like when taking a hot shower.
The appearance of this phenomenon has a poor prognosis since it is related to multifocal brain lesions and therefore a higher incidence of develop multiple sclerosis y recurrent episodes of optic neuritis.
Diagnosis of optic neuritis
Any alteration that compromises our vision, especially if it is sudden, requires an immediate consultation with the ophthalmologist in order to guarantee our eye well-being and avoid permanent damage that compromises visual capacity.
Therefore, if one or more of the symptoms of optic neuritis occurs, a specialist should perform a complete review to determine the status of the ocular nerve. The ophthalmologist must perform exams that determine the visual acuity, color vision I peripheral and optic nerve status.
It is also possible to carry out other tests such as a magnetic resonance or a CT scan. The exam requires a thorough evaluation of medical historyespecially to rule out drugs or medication that can cause optic nerve toxicity, it is also necessary to investigate the alcohol, the levels of Stress or the existence of psychiatric disorders.
Treatment of optic neuritis
Treatment for this condition should be recommended and supervised by a ophthalmologist, the professional trained to treat inflammation of the optic nerve. In most cases, no treatment is required, the nerve becomes deflated and the patient recovers vision within a few weeks, however in some cases this recovery may be hindered, especially in patients with underlying conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
The specialist may decide administer to the patient Steroids by intravenously followed by oral steroids, a combined treatment in order to accelerate recovery and reduce the chances of new episodes of neuritis occurring. To choose the indicated treatment, it is essential the full evaluation by an ophthalmologist.
Additionally, other tests may be required to determine if there is a condition that has caused this problem and to treat it if necessary.
Evolution of optic neuritis
In just a few days the pain and vision will improve in most patients. Often the vision remains slightly blurred, dim or distorted and the muted colors until several months later, however it is very rare progressive loss of vision. Patients with this condition without having alguna autoimmune disease usually recover quickly and without complicationsIn cases of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, forecast can be complejo and requires medical supervision.
La optic neuritis or inflamed optic nerve may recur in the same eye, the opposite eye, or other parts of the central nervous system, brain, or spinal cord. This can lead to recurring episodes decrease or loss of vision or other problems such as muscular weakness with dificulty to walk o coordinate movements, tiredness or exhaustion, dizziness or lack of balance, etc.
