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Emerging Trends in Optic Neuritis and Associated Demyelinating Diseases

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Abstract

Optic neuritis is a disease of extreme importance from the point of view of neuro-ophthalmologists. As a disease entity, it includes a spectrum ranging from the typical demyelinating isolated optic neuritis to that associated with systemic diseases such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica and other atypical forms. This chapter discusses the clinical manifestations of the disease—the signs, symptoms, and the pertinent examination findings; it also highlights the required investigations and the differential diagnoses. The initial management of acute optic neuritis is described and also details about the prognosis in terms of the risk of developing the major associated neurological diseases, i.e., multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica is discussed in detail. The long-term management strategies are also explained.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported in part by a Challenge Grant to the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado, from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc.

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Dr. Subramanian has no relevant financial disclosures.

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Correspondence to Prem S. Subramanian .

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Subramanian, P.S. (2020). Emerging Trends in Optic Neuritis and Associated Demyelinating Diseases. In: Chhablani, P. (eds) Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders. Current Practices in Ophthalmology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8522-3_1

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