Optic Neuritis

I had to see a specialist to be tested for it. I had many different tests that day so not sure which one was which but they were all just abit fancier than the normal eye dr ones.

Oh ok, thank you for your reply- it was much appreciated. Well im off to see a neurologist next week & my friend says they check your eyes too so I wil see what happens there!

Hi lynda

i've co-incidently just got back from seeing the consultant!



I had my sight go 'odd' in my right eye last june - literally over a couple of hours - thick beige fog
this is my 5th visit to the eye unit now & they've concluded it's optic neuritis - very difficult to confirm as there are many causes including viral & stress!



Swelling on the optic nerve causes the visual problems and often this can sometimes be seen through an examination (after your pupils have been dilated) if the swelling is right at the back of the eye where the optic nerve joins. (your sight will worsen before it improves)

there is no actual treatment - you just have to 'wait-and-see' really. I understand that you can have a course of high dose steroids (but the doctors over here are understandably reluctant to recommend it) although this only speeds up the recovery and does not improve the prognosis.



We asked for a scan to confirm the neuritis - but were told that it would be more 'useful' to see the neurologist (which we've decided to do), although it doesn't look as if my sight will completely return now (considering the amount of time that has passed) my cousin, however suffered in both eyes as a child and regained her sight competely after a few weeks!



I hope this is of some use to you - I know how frustrating this all is!



All the best!

I have just been told I have this, and was told to expect slight worsening first, then improvement within a week. I woke with bad vision on saturday, went to the hospital on saturday night, got an eye clinic appointment for monday and was told this at the clinic.

I'm starting to think by what i'm reading online that one week is a bit optimistic? I'm going to australia in 2 1/2 weeks....And i'm a bit worried as right now I don't want to go if i'm like this.

Anyone offer any info?

My sight took 4 months to return to almost normal ~ although it was the first 2-3 months that was the worse, with zero vision for a period of time. (my situation may be slightly different, as I have since been diagnosed with ms which was the cause of the damage.)
i don't think the clinic is being particulary honest with you however! Have they offered you steroids? (they can speed up recovery, but not everyone is happy taking them)
good luck!

I feel like I have a blind spot now....Although I still have vision, I wouldn't like to have to rely on that eye! I think i'd trip over things etc. It's sort of like when you come in out of the sun into a dull room, and can't see properly.

I feel quite disorientated, I don't know if my symptoms are due to an underlying infection or something or if i've just got some pain in my eye! I feel like covering the eye up as i'd be better off without it as it's just disturbing my vision! I'm having to wear my glasses as i've got astigmatism, and my 'good eye' is the one with optic neuritis.

I'm also coughing and sort of struggling to breath and talk at the same time. I have a bit of phlegm in my throat at times, but no runny nose. I feel like i've got a cold without the runny nose, and the sensation in my face is hard to describe, although I could well believe it's my left sinus, although i'm not in a great deal of pain.

Did you work when you had it? I've been at work, on 12 hour shifts, and I have to use a microscope, although i've been doing a job which doesn't involve constant microscope use. I'm finding it difficult to use the microscope though. I'm wondering if I should be off work....Although they never told me not to go to work. I've not seen my own doctor, just the casualty doctor, and then the appointment at the hospital eye clinic. I'm wondering if I should have antibiotics or something to clear the underlying cause. So hard to know what to do!

Any other advice you can offer would be most helpful.

Hi lesley!

I was actually on maternity leave at the time, but had I been at work, I think I would have stayed off (at least for the worst of it). Antibiotics are unlikely to help your eyesight (imho), but might clear up a sinus infection. The eye socket pain is part'n'parcel of the on. I would go and see your gp and talk it through.

All the best :)

Lucid,

wondered how long ago you had the problem, and if it completely cleared up or not? It's been a while now - since 15 october, so I guess 2 months. I read somewhere it can take up to 3 months. It's in my left eye, which is normally my better eye. It took ages for my left eye to again become better than my right eye for reading, but it is now. I still feel a dullness/contrast problem when I cover my right eye. Just wondered if there's still hope for a bit more improvement?