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Medical Author:

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What is optic neuritis?
• What causes optic neuritis?
• What are symptoms of optic neuritis?
• What are signs of optic neuritis?
• How is optic neuritis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for optic neuritis?
• What is the prognosis for optic neuritis?
• Can optic neuritis be prevented?
• Where can I find more information on optic neuritis?
• Optic Neuritis At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Optic Neuritis - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Optic Neuritis - Experience
• Find a local Eye Doctor in your town
• Optic Neuritis Index

In patients with an infectious cause of optic neuritis, eradication of the underlying infection will usually prevent further episodes.

In patients with a known immune disorder such as systemic lupus or vasculitis, treatment of the underlying disorder will usually prevent further episodes.

In patients with known multiple sclerosis, treatment of the multiple sclerosis may decrease the incidence of future attacks of multiple sclerosis, including optic neuritis. Current treatment includes high-dose intravenous corticosteroids during attacks of multiple sclerosis and chronic preventative therapy including immune-modulating drugs (interferon [Roferon-A, Intron-A, Rebetron, Alferon-N, Peg-Intron, Avonex, Betaseron, Infergen, Actimmune, Pegasys], glatiramer acetate [Copaxone], or natalizumab [Tysabri]), immunosuppressants (mitoxantrone [Novantrone], cyclophosphamide [Cytoxan], azathioprine [Imuran, Azasan], or methotrexate [Rheumatrex, Trexall]).

Non-approved therapies that have not shown definite benefit in preventing attacks of multiple sclerosis include plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) and intravenous immune globulin. There are a large number of drugs under study by medical investigators for the prevention of recurrent attacks and manifestations of multiple sclerosis, including optic neuritis, that have yet to receive FDA approval.

In patients with diabetes-related optic neuritis, lifestyle modification (weight control, dietary changes and exercise) plus blood sugar stabilization can decrease the incidence of future vascular complications of diabetes. There are no scientifically validated preventive measures for other types of optic neuritis. Anecdotal evidence suggests that maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper attention to good nutrition, exercise, prevention of obesity, maintenance of emotional health and adequate rest, together with avoidance of toxins such as cigarettes, may prevent many diseases. Regular annual eye exams are critical to maintaining healthy vision. Early treatment of vision problems can prevent permanent optic nerve damage (atrophy).