Optic neuritis

Question 1

Causes of optic neuritis?

Answer 1

MS - most common
DM
Syphilis

Question 2

Features of optic neuritis?

Answer 2

• unilateral decrease in visual acuity over hours or days
• poor discrimination of colours, ‘red desaturation’
• pain worse on eye movement
• RAPD
• central scotoma

Question 3

Management for optic neuritis?

Answer 3

• high-dose steroids = usually IV Methylpred
• recovery usually takes 4-6 weeks

Question 4

Epidemiology of optic neuritis?

Answer 4

Adult women
Living at high latitude

Question 5

Pathophysiology of optic neuritis?

Answer 5

Inflammatory processes which lead to activation of T-cells that can cross the blood brain barrier and cause hypersensitivity reaction to neuronal structures

Question 6

Classic triad of features in optic neuritis?

Answer 6

Visual loss
Periocular pain
Dyschromatopsia = deficiency in colour vision