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Optic neuritis

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• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve. It may cause sudden, reduced vision in the affected eye.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of optic neuritis is unknown. Sudden inflammation of the optic nerve (the nerve connecting the eye and the brain) leads to swelling and destruction of its outer shell, called the myelin sheath. The inflammation may occasionally be the result of a viral infection, or it may be caused by autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis . Risk factors are related to the possible causes.

• Review Date: 10/20/2006
• Reviewed By: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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