DR. DIPIKA SAINATH

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the demographic and clinical pattern of optic neuritis in a tertiary health care and incidence of multiple sclerosis, treatment outcome and prognosis.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with first episode of optic neuritis.

Results: 354 patients with optic neuritis were included. Mean age was 40.25 ± 12.2 years. The male: female ratio was 1:1.35. 48.1 % had visual acuity of less than 3/60. Papillitis in 68.8 % of subjects, neuro-retinitis in 12.9 % and retrobulbar neuritis in 5.5 %. Based on etiology, 79.6 % were idiopathic, 1.8 % presented with infectious optic neuritis and 9.26 % were associated with demyelinating disease (Multiple sclerosis).

Conclusion: Females were predominantly affected. Idiopathic optic neuritis formed the major subset etiologically. 66% had visual recovery of 6/18 . 9.2 % association with MS. Therefore, early diagnosis, steroid therapy and regular follow up screening for MS remains the mainstay management for ON.

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