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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications arising from optic neuritis may include:

  • Optic nerve damage. Most people have some permanent optic nerve damage following an episode of optic neuritis, but they may not have any symptoms resulting from this damage.
  • Decreased visual acuity. Most people regain normal or near normal vision within several months, but for some people, vision loss may persist even after the optic neuritis has improved.
  • Side effects of treatment. Steroid medications used to treat optic neuritis subdue your immune system, which causes your body to become more susceptible to infections. Long-term use of steroids may also cause thinning of your bones (osteoporosis).
Preparing for your appointment Risk factors
References
  1. Balcer LJ. Optic neuritis. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2006;354:1273.
  2. Clark D, et al. Optic neuritis. Neurologic Clinics. 2010;28:573.
  3. Dargin JM, et al. The painful eye. Emergency Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;26:199.
  4. Osborne B. Optic neuritis: Pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2010.
  5. Graves J, et al. Eye disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis: Natural history and management. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2010;4:1409.
  6. Riordan-Eva P. Disorders of the eyes & lids. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2011. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2002. Accessed Jan. 1, 2011.
  7. Ropper AH, et al. Disturbances of vision. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3631567. Accessed Jan. 1, 2011.
  8. Germann CA, et al. Ophthalmic diagnoses in the ED: Optic neuritis. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2007;25:834.
  9. Chan RYC, et al. Ocular toxicity of ethambutol. Hong Kong Medical Journal. 2006;12:56.
  10. Osborne B. Optic neuritis: Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 28, 2010.
  11. Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 10, 2011.
DS00882 Feb. 12, 2011

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