Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Optic Neuritis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Neuro-Ophthalmology

Abstract

Optic neuritis may be caused by a variety of infectious, demyelinating, and inflammatory disorders. Following an attack of acute demyelinating optic neuritis (ON), there is a risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) especially if one or more periventricular demyelinating white-matter lesions is seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Early treatment of MS with immunomodulatory drugs may helpful after ON. Other inflammatory demyelination syndromes such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) syndrome may mimic MS and can present with acute optic neuritis. In contrast to MS related ON however, bilateral, anterior, and/or recurrent ON is more likely to occur in NMO or MOG syndromes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Smith CH. Optic neuritis. In: Miller NR, Newman NJ, Biousse V, Kerrison JB, editors. Walsh and Hoyt’s clinical neuro-ophthalmology, vol. 1. 6th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005. p. 293–348.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Parmley VC, Schiffman JS, Maitland CG, et al. Does neuroretinitis rule out multiple sclerosis? Arch Neurol. 1987;44:1045–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Gould H, Kaufman HE. Sarcoid of the fundus. Arch Ophthalmol. 1961;65:453–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hart WM Jr, Burde RM. Optic disk edema in sarcoidosis. Am J Ophthalmol. 1979;88:769–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Spalton DJ, Sanders MD. Fundus changes in histologically confirmed sarcoidosis. Br J Ophthalmol. 1981;65:348–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Beardsley TL, Brown SVL, Sydnor CF, et al. Eleven cases of sarcoidosis of the optic nerve. Am J Ophthalmol. 1984;97:62–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Graham EM, Ellis CJK, Sanders MD, et al. Optic neuropathy in sarcoidosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1986;49:756–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Optic Neuritis Study Group. The clinical profile of acute optic neuritis: experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Arch Ophthalmol. 1991;109:1673–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. McDonald WI, Barnes D. The ocular manifestations of multiple sclerosis. 1. Abnormalities of the afferent visual system. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1992;55:747–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Page NGR, Bolger JP, Sanders MD. Auditory evoked phosphenes in optic nerve disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1982;45:7–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ménage MJ, Papakostopoulos D, Hart JCD, et al. The Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test in the first episode of demyelinating optic neuritis. Br J Ophthalmol. 1993;77:68–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Keltner JL, Johnson CA, Spurr JO, et al. Baseline visual field profile of optic neuritis: the experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Arch Ophthalmol. 1993;111:231–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Beck RW, Cleary PA, Backlund JC, et al. The course of visual recovery after optic neuritis: experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Ophthalmology. 1994;101:1771–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Beck RW, Cleary PA, Anderson MM Jr, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of corticosteroids in the treatment of acute optic neuritis. N Engl J Med. 1992;326:581–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Beck RW. Optic Neuritis Study Group: the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial: implications for clinical practice. Arch Ophthalmol. 1992;110:331–2.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Keltner JL, Johnson CA, Spurr JO, et al. Visual field profile of optic neuritis: one-year follow-up in the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Arch Ophthalmol. 1994;112:946–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Optic Neuritis Study Group. Visual function more than 10 years after optic neuritis: experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004;137:77–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Optic Neuritis Study Group. Visual function 15 years after optic neuritis: a final follow-up report from the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Ophthalmology. 2008;115:1079–82.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Beck RW, Kupersmith MJ, Cleary PA, et al. Fellow eye abnormalities in acute unilateral optic neuritis: experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Ophthalmology. 1993;100:691–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Morrow SA, Fraser JA, Day C, et al. Effect of treating acute optic neuritis with bioequivalent oral vs. intravenous corticosteroids: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol. 2018;75:690–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Jacobs LD, Beck RW, Simon JH, et al. Intramuscular interferon beta-1a therapy initiated during a first demyelinating event in multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 2000;343:898–904.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Comi G, Filippi E, Barkhoff F, et al. Effect of early interferon treatment on conversion to definite multiple sclerosis: a randomized study. Lancet. 2001;357:1576–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Optic Neuritis Study Group. The five year risk of multiple sclerosis after optic neuritis. Experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Neurology. 1997;49:1404–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Optic Neuritis Study Group. High- and low-risk profiles for the development of multiple sclerosis within 10 years after optic neuritis. Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121:944–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Miller DH, Khan OA, Sheremata W, et al. A controlled trial of natalizumab for multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:15–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Petzold A, Pittock S, Lennon V, et al. Neuromyelitis optica-IgG (aquaporin-4) autoantibodies in immune-mediated optic neuritis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2010;81:109–11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Jarius S, Frederikson J, Waters P, et al. Frequency and prognostic impact of antibodies to aquaporin-4 in patients with optic neuritis. J Neurol Sci. 2010;298:158–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Toosy AT, Mason DF, Miller DH. Optic neuritis. Lancet Neurol. 2014;13:83–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Chen JJ, Tobin WO, Majed M, et al. Prevalence of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and aquaporin-4-IgG in patients in the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2018;136:419–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Levin MH, Bennett JL, Verkman AS. Optic neuritis in neuromyelitis optica. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2013;36:159–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Baghbanian SM, Asgari N, Sahraian MA, Modhadasi AN. A comparison of pediatric and adult neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: a review of clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. J Neurol Sci. 2018;388:222–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Geraldes R, Ciccarelli O, Barkhof F, et al. The current role of MRI in differentiating multiple sclerosis from its imaging mimics. Nat Rev Neurol. 2018;14:199–213. [Epub 9 Mar 2018].

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Chee CG, Park KS, Lee JW, et al. MRI features of aquaporin-4 antibody-positive longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis: insights into the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2018;39:782–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Mandler RN, Ahmed W, Dencoff JE. Devic’s neuromyelitis optica: a prospective study of seven patients treated with prednisone and azathioprine. Neurology. 1998;51:1219–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Costanzi C, Matiello M, Luchinetti CF, et al. Azathioprine: tolerability, efficacy, and predictors of benefit in neuromyelitis optica. Neurology. 2011;77:659–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Bichuetti DB, Lobato de Oliveira EM, Oliveira DM, et al. Neuromyelitis optica treatment: analysis of 36 patients. Arch Neurol. 2010;67:1131–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Stellmann J-P, Krumbholz M, Friede T, et al. Immunotherapies in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: efficacy and predictors of response. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017;88:639–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Kitley J, Elsone L, George J, et al. Methotrexate is an alternative to azathioprine in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with aquaporin-4 antibodies. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2013;84:918–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Mealy MA, Wingerchuk DM, Palace J, et al. Comparison of relapse and treatment failure rates among patients with neuromyelitis optica. Multicenter study of treatment efficacy. JAMA Neurol. 2014;71:324–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Sellner J, Boggild M, Clanet M, et al. EFNS guidelines on diagnosis and management of neuromyelitis optica. Eur J Neurol. 2010;17:1019–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Palace J, Leite MI, Jacob A. A practical guide to the treatment of neuromyelitis optica. Pract Neurol. 2012;12:209–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Pittock SJ, Lennon VA, McKeon A, et al. Eculizumab in AQP4-IgG-positive relapsing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an open-label pilot study. Lancet Neurol. 2013;12:554–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Cabre P, Olindo S, Marignier R, et al. Efficacy of mitoxantrone in neuromyelitis optica spectrum: clinical and neuroradiological study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2013;84:511–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Bichuetti DB, Oliveira EM, Boulos FC, et al. Lack of response to pulse cyclophosphamide in neuromyelitis optica; evaluation of 7 patients. Arch Neurol. 2012;69:938–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Khatri BO, Kramer J, Dukic M, et al. Maintenance plasma exchange therapy for steroid-refractive neuromyelitis optica. J Clin Apher. 2012;27:183–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Merle H, Olindo S, Jeannin S, et al. Treatment of optic neuritis by plasma exchange (add-on) in neuromyelitis optica. Arch Ophthalmol. 2012;130:858–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Kleiter I, Gahlen A, Borisow N, et al. Neuromyelitis optica: evaluation of 872 attacks and 1,153 treatment courses. Ann Neurol. 2016;79:206–16.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Kageyama T, Komori M, Miyamoto K, et al. Combination of cyclosporine A with corticosteroids is effective for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica. J Neurol. 2013;260:627–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Wingerchuk DM. Neuromyelitis optica: potential roles for intravenous immunoglobulins. J Clin Immunol. 2013;33(Suppl 1):S33–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Kieseier BC, Stuve O, Dehmel T, et al. Disease amelioration with tocilizumab in a treatment-resistant patient with neuromyelitis optica: implication for cellular immune responses. JAMA Neurol. 2013;70:390–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Palace J, Leite MI, Nairne A, et al. Interferon beta treatment in neuromyelitis optica: increase in relapses and aquaporin 4 antibody titers. Arch Neurol. 2010;67:1016–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Kim SH, Kim W, Li XF, et al. Does interferon beta treatment exacerbate neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder? Mult Scler. 2012;18:1480–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Min JH, Kim BJ, Lee KH. Development of extensive brain lesions following fingolimod (FTY720) treatment in a patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Mult Scler. 2012;18:113–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Barnett MH, Prineas JW, Buckland ME, et al. Massive astrocyte destruction in neuromyelitis optica despite natalizumab therapy. Mult Scler. 2012;18:1480–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Kleiter I, Hellwig K, Berthele A, et al. Failure of natalizumab to prevent relapses in neuromyelitis optica. Arch Neurol. 2012;69:239–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Jurynczyk M, Messina S, Woodhall MR, et al. Clinical presentation and prognosis in MOG-antibody disease: a UK study. Brain. 2017;140:3128–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Matsuda R, Kezuka T, Umazume A, et al. Clinical profile of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody seropositive cases of optic neuritis. Neuro-Ophthalmology. 2015;39:213–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Chen JJ, Flanagan EP, Jitprapaikulsan J, et al. Myelin oligodencrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-IgG)-positive optic neuritis: clinical characteristics, radiologic clues and outcome. Presented at the annual meeting of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Hawaii, 7 Mar 2018.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Neil R. Miller

Authors
  1. Neil R. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neil R. Miller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Weill Cornell Medicine, Blanton Eye Institute Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Andrew G. Lee

  2. Metabolic Neurology, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research College of Medical & Dental Sciences University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

    Alexandra J. Sinclair

  3. Houston Methodist Hospital, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston, TX, USA

    Ama Sadaka

  4. Houston Methodist Hospital, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston, TX, USA

    Shauna Berry

  5. Birmingham Neuro-Ophthalmology, University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

    Susan P. Mollan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Miller, N.R. (2019). Optic Neuritis. In: Lee, A., Sinclair, A., Sadaka, A., Berry, S., Mollan, S. (eds) Neuro-Ophthalmology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98455-1_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98455-1_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-98454-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-98455-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation