Optic neuritis is a swelling of the optic nerve in the eye. The optic nerve transmits light signals from the back of your eye to the brain, allowing you to see. You will experience issues with vision clarity, if your optic nerve is swollen, damaged, or infected.
Optic neuritis is caused by a variety of factors that are unclear. It’s believed to be caused by the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking the optic nerve tissue. And is seemingly more common in people who have had viral infections such as mumps, measles, flu, or multiple sclerosis, among others.
This condition can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may appear suddenly or develop gradually over a period of days. They may include the following:
- Hazy/Dim vision
- Blind spots
- Loss of color vision
- Inability to see out of one eye
- Colors that appear dull and faded
- Back of the eye socket discomfort
- Pain in or around the eye, which is often made worse with eye movement
Some people who have the condition may notice blurred vision when they exercise or exert themselves. If you have symptoms, consult with an ophthalmologist right away. Treatment can prevent symptoms from worsening and may preserve your eyesight.
Photo credit
Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
