Optic neuritis is the inflammation of the nerve that connects your eye to your brain. It can cause:
If you notice any of these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. The key to protecting your eyesight is to catch the problem early. Your doctor can treat you with steroids to fight the inflammation in the nerve.
Optic neuritis usually happens to one eye at a time, though it can affect both at once. It’s often the first symptom that someone has multiple sclerosis. About half of people with the condition will have optic neuritis at least once.
That said, it can also happen to people who have other health problems, so it doesn't automatically mean that someone has or will get multiple sclerosis (MS).
Most people with optic neuritis recover fully, sometimes without any treatment.
- Pain in the eye
- Blurred vision
- Graying of vision
- Blindness in one eye