Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis refers to an inflammation of the optic nerve, the bundle of nerve fibers that transmit visual information to the brain from the eye. The degree of visual impairment depends on how many nerve fibers are inflamed. The more the number of nerve fibers affected, the worse the symptoms can get.

The exact cause of this condition is unknown, although there are conditions that have been linked with optic neuritis and they are:

• Autoimmune diseases such as Sarcoidosis, lupus and Behcet's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Respiratory infections
• Viral infections
• Bacterial infections such as syphilis, Lyme disease, tuberculosis and meningitis
• Cryptococcosis, a fungal infection

The symptoms of optic neuritis include:

• Blurred vision
• Dim visions
• Grey vision
• Pain in the back of the eye especially during eye movement

Please contact your doctor immediately if you:

• Notice new symptoms
• Have worsening vision or symptoms that don't improve with treatment
• Have unusual symptoms including numbness and weakness in one or more limbs which may be an indicator of a neurological condition