It is also known as optic neuritis or papilledema. The optic nerve carries images from the retina to the brain and allows you to see. This article gives information about symptoms, causes, treatment and diagnostic tests for optic nerve swelling.
Symptoms of Optic Nerve Swelling
Following are some of the symptoms associated with optic nerve swelling:
- Tender, sore eye
- Dim, dull vision
- Decreased or blurred vision in one or both the eyes.
- Reduced color perception.
- Fever
- Decreased peripheral vision
- Nausea
- Headache
- Central blind spot or decrease in central vision
If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor for an eye examination.
Causes of Optic Nerve Swelling
- Various conditions and diseases may cause optic neuritis. However, in many cases, the cause of optic nerve swelling is not known.
- Optic neuritis is associated with diseases which cause optic nerve demyelination. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is also most often associated with the condition.
- In fact, optic neuritis is the initial sign of multiple sclerosis. In some people, especially in children, optic neuritis develops following a viral illness like measles, mumps or a cold.
Conventional Treatment
Mostly, people recover normal vision without undergoing any treatment for optic neuritis. For some people who have significant vision loss, high doses of corticosteroids is given intravenously to hasten visual recovery. Optic neuritis improves characteristically over a period of some days to weeks. Some patients may take months to recover completely.
Reports suggest that intravenous steroid medication treatment for patients suffering from optic neuritis can reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis later on.
Nutrients such as serraflazyme, MSM eye drops, fish oil and other nutrients may help in recovery of optic neuritis and maintain good vision. Some research indicates that use of microcurrent stimulation helps to preserve vision.
Diagnostic Tests
To diagnose the eye swelling, various tests are done which include:
- Eye examination
- Physical examination
- Blood test
- Urine test
- Skin prick allergy test
- Throat swab
