How is optic neuritis diagnosed?
Optic neuritis is suspected in patients with characteristic eye pain and vision loss. A complete medical examination, including chemical analysis of the blood can help rule out related diseases. Tests may include visual acuity testing, pupillary testing, visual field testing, color vision testing, and visualization of the optic disc by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. A person with a first episode of optic neuritis usually undergoes an MRI of the brain to look for central nervous system lesions. MRI with gadolinium enhancement may show an enlarged, enhancing optic nerve. MRI may also help diagnose multiple sclerosis by demonstrating typical abnormalities in the brain. What is the treatment for optic neuritis? If a definite cause (such as infection or underlying other disease) is determined, appropriate therapy for that cause can be instituted. In optic neuritis of undetermined cause or related to multiple sclerosis, vision often returns to normal within two to 12 weeks with no treat
