Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammation that damages the optic nerve, the nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the central nervous system. Eye pain worsened by eye movement and temporary reduction in vision are typical symptoms of optic neuritis.
Optic neuritis is the underlying condition for multiple sclerosis, a chronic illness involving your brain and your spinal cord. Most people who don’t encounter recurrent optic neuritis have potential chances of recovering their vision.(1)
What Is The Prognosis For Optic Neuritis?
You should immediately seek medical assistance when you develop symptoms such as eye pain or blurred vision and your symptoms don’t improve after treatment. The prognosis is often dependent on the underlying condition. Most of the cases resolve on its own and the patient improves, and vision is recovered over a few weeks.
The prognosis for visual recovery is outstanding; more than 90% of patients regain sight of at least 20/40 over quite a few months. Several individuals have a complete recovery of their complications. MRI imaging becomes critical in recurring optic neuritis, in patients eager to understand about long-term prognosis, in patients with a record or proof of other nervous connections in optic neuritis in young children and older adults.
On rare occasions, optic neuritis recurs and necessitates treatment and care. Medical studies show that only a small group of patients about 14% had recurrent challenges with eye inflammation and pain and required continuous treatment. These patients had an increased risk of developing optic neuritis in the other eye within 10 years.
About 50% of cases, will develop other neurological symptoms indicating multiple sclerosis. In the worst cases, optic neuritis patients may be affected by a condition called neuromyelitis optica, a central nervous system disorder that primarily affects the eye nerves and the spinal cord.
Study shows that most incidents occur as a result of viral immune reaction and you can prevent by avoiding exposure to respiratory viruses. Although it is challenging to avoid exposure to respiratory illnesses yet personal hygiene can decrease the chances of spreading.(2)
Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Manage Optic Neuritis
Irrespective of treatment, re-evaluation of patients with Optic neuritis must take place about 4 to 6 weeks after demonstration to make sure that the medical course of action extends as expected with steady progress in visual function.
If you are suffering from this condition, you should ensure that you strictly follow an anti-inflammatory diet. An anti-inflammatory diet designed to prevent or reduce low-grade chronic inflammation and improve symptoms. Although it varies from individual to individual based on their health condition, yet it is a good lifestyle change with some potential solution.
Foods To Eat And Avoid: Certain foods are considered as the best diets for optic neuritis. This includes fatty fish like sardines, tuna, and mackerel, organic produce such as citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables, eggs, soybean, and avocado. At the same time, you would require avoiding certain food items to enable your treatment to function better. Foods to avoid include refined sugars, white pasta, rice, bread, noodles, and cereals.
Prevention Strategy: In people with specific brain alterations witnessed on MRI, though, intravenous steroids may assist prevent future occurrences of optic neuritis. There are lifestyle changes you can follow to prevent your optic nerve from becoming inflamed in the upcoming stages.
- Follow a healthy diet plan
- Make regular visits to your ophthalmologist to prevent worsening of your signs
- The eye is an integral part of the body so protect them from injuries and infections.(3)(4)(5)(6)
- Optic Neuritis Causes, Treatment, Diagnosis & Symptoms https://www.medicinenet.com/optic_neuritis/article.htm
- Optic Neuritis: Outlook / Prognosis – Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14256-optic-neuritis/outlook–prognosis
- Management of optic neuritis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116540/
- Optic Neuritis – Health Facts -Naturopathic Assessment http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/wiki/Optic_Neuritis
- Optic neuritis – NCH Healthcare System https://www.nchmd.org/education/mayo-health-library/details/CON-20212582
- Optic Neuritis Treatment – Symptoms, Causes, And Diagnosis + Tips To Prevent https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/effective-home-remedies-to-treat-optic-neuritis/
Also Read:
- Optic Neuritis or Retrobulbar Neuritis: Epidemiology, Causes, Signs, Treatment, Tests
- Does Optic Neuritis Show Up On MRI & Can Eye Test Detect It?
- Can Stress Cause Optic Neuritis & Does It Cause Headaches?
- What Is The Difference Between Optic Neuritis & Optic Neuropathy?
- Can You Have Optic Neuritis In Both Eyes & Does It Always Lead To MS?
