Abstract :
Purpose: To evaluate the clinical profile and visual outcome of optic neuritis patients presenting to a tertiary
eyecare centre.
Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective hospital-based study carried out over a period 5 years
between 2013 to 2018 in a tertiary eyecare centre in South India. Case records of 20 patients diagnosed and
treated for optic neuritis were evaluated based on clinical profile, type of presentation and visual outcome.
Results: Patients had a mean age was 34.713.5 years. 60% presented in age group of 20-40years. Male
preponderance was seen (65% of cases). Papillitis (65% of eyes) was more common than retrobulbar
neuritis (35% of eyes). Unilateral involvement was seen in 85% of cases with Bilateral presentation seen
in only 15% cases. Baseline visual acuity in 10(43%) patients was in the range of Counting fingers to
= 6/60, 5(22%) patients had Hand movements positive and 5(22%)
had Perception of light positive. Periocular pain was seen in 8(40%) of the cases. 13(56%) patients had
defective colour vision. 16(70%) patients had Grade 3-4 RAPD while the remaining had grade 1-2 RAPD.
One patient was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Recurrence was seen in 1 patient (5%). After
treatment with 3 doses of 1gm IV Methylprednisolone 15 patients (74% of eyes) showed improvement in
vision, 7 eyes (35%) had improvement in colour vision, 4 eyes (20%) had improvement in pupillary reaction
after 3 doses of IV Methylprednisolone.
Conclusion: Optic neuritis is idiopathic in nature. Papillitis is the commonest presentation when compared
to Retrobulbar neuritis.
Keyword :
Multiple sclerosis, IV Methylprednisolone, Optic disc swelling, Optic neuritis, Optic neuritis treatment Trial
Papillitis, Retrobulbar optic neuritis.