Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, usually causing a sudden reduction in vision in one eye and pain with eye movement.

Common symptoms

Sudden blurred or reduced vision in one eye, pain on moving the eye, washed-out or dim colours, and a blind spot in the centre of vision.

Description

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, the structure that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. It most commonly affects one eye at a time and typically develops over hours or days.

It can occur on its own, but is sometimes linked to conditions that affect the wider nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis. Because of this link, people with a new episode usually have further tests to look for an underlying cause.

Vision often improves on its own over weeks to months. Steroid treatment may be used to speed up recovery, and any underlying condition is managed separately.