Overview
Optic neuritis (ON) is a type of neuropathy (nerve disease) that can cause eye pain and vision loss or vision changes. It happens when inflammation affects signals traveling through your optic nerve, which connects your eyes and brain.
The cells that make up your optic nerve have a fatty coating called a myelin sheath. When you have ON, that sheath deteriorates. The coating is protective. Without it, the nerve cells can’t send signals properly. That’s why various forms of vision loss are common symptoms of this condition.
Types of this condition
There are three main types of optic neuritis:
- Typical. This type usually affects one eye only, and most people recover within several days, even without treatment. (But experts still strongly recommend treatment for other reasons.)
- Atypical. This type usually affects both eyes, and people with it usually don’t recover quickly. Research links it with several other complex neurological (nervous system-related) disorders.
- Pediatric. This is the childhood form of optic neuritis. While similar to the other two types, there are also some important differences. This form usually has a better overall outlook.
How common is this condition?
Optic neuritis is common. In the U.S., there are about 5 new cases per 100,000 people each year.
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