DISEASES
description
Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammation of the optic nerve, the nerve responsible for vision. ON can flare up suddenly from an infection or nerve disease. Inflammation usually causes temporary vision loss that typically happens in only one eye. Inflammation may be caused by an autoimmune attack on the optic nerve and other vision pathways, and can be a feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Autoantibody testing can help differentiate ON associated with MS and NMOSD: anti Aquaporin 4 antibodies are characteristic of NMOSD while antibodies to neurofilament and other nerve components (myelin) are related to MS.
Symptoms
- Eye pain – particularly with eye movement
- Vision loss in one eye
- Visual field loss (various patterns such as central or peripheral loss)
- Loss of color vision (colors appear less vivid than normal)
- Flashing or flickering lights with eye movement