What is Optic Neuropathy?

Optic neuropathy is a condition where there is damage to the optic nerve as a result of inflammation. The damage can also extend to the myelin, which is a type of covering that coats the nerve and provides a level of protection. Knowing what this condition causes and what causes it is important, especially if you are at risk. It is also critical to understand your treatment options and have information on the average prognosis. When it comes to proper eye care, Boulder residents can get a prompt and accurate diagnosis so that they can start the treatment process.

What Are the Causes of Optic Neuropathy?

A number of things can cause this condition. It most commonly happens in women and those under age 45. Having multiple sclerosis is a major risk factor due to how this condition damages the myelin sheath of nerves throughout the body. In fact, eye symptoms are often some of the earliest symptoms that people with MS report experiencing. Other potential causes of this condition can include:

-Toxoplasmosis and other types of infection

-Neurological disorders

-Ocular herpes

-Sinus inflammation

-Leber hereditary optic neuropathy

-Toxins, such as tobacco and alcohol

-Issues with nutritional deficiencies

Making an Accurate Diagnosis

When you see your eye doctor, he or she will start the process by asking about your medical history and symptoms. If you have a condition like multiple sclerosis, your doctor might suspect that this condition is at play. When it comes to diagnostic testing, your doctor might do a routine visual test, measure your eye pressure, dilate your pupils to get a better look at your optic nerve and other eye structures and do a visual examination to look at the outer structures of your eye. Your doctor will usually also test your peripheral vision for loss using a visual field test and might recommend an MRI to look at your spinal cord and brain if there is no obvious cause of this condition.

Treatment Options

Treating the root cause is the first step. In many cases, bringing conditions like an infection or multiple sclerosis under control can help to stabilize this condition. Your doctor might also recommend either oral or intravenous steroids to alleviate the inflammation affecting the optic nerve.

Exploring the Prognosis

The prognosis ultimately depends on the cause and the level of damage to your optic nerve. Approximately 95 percent of patients will recover the majority of their vision in under six months.

As you can see, this can be a serious condition and it is important to get a prompt diagnosis. As soon as you notice any visual or eye symptoms, you want to make an appointment at a center for eye care boulder to ensure a timely diagnosis.