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Optic neuritis: clinical analysis of 27 cases
Youn-Shen Bee1, Muh-Chiou Lin, Cheng-Chiang Wang
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
|May 20, 2003
Summary
This study on optic neuritis in Chinese patients found that unilateral cases had better visual outcomes. While disc swelling was common, multiple sclerosis development was less frequent than in other studies.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
Background:
- Idiopathic optic neuritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the optic nerve.
- Understanding its clinical course and prognosis in diverse populations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical features, visual prognosis, neuroimaging findings, and multiple sclerosis development in Chinese patients with idiopathic optic neuritis.
- To compare findings with the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 27 Chinese patients diagnosed with idiopathic optic neuritis (1992-2001).
- Analysis of clinical data, visual function tests, neuroimaging (CT, MRI), and long-term follow-up for multiple sclerosis.
- Comparison of outcomes between unilateral and bilateral cases.
Main Results:
- Mean age was 35.8 years; 5 bilateral and 22 unilateral cases.
- Visual function improved within 2 weeks; 44.4% had disc swelling and ocular pain.
- Optic nerve thickening noted in 10/23 cases; 14.8% developed multiple sclerosis.
- Unilateral optic neuritis showed significantly better visual outcomes than bilateral.
Conclusions:
- Chinese patients with optic neuritis present with distinct features compared to Western populations.
- Lower rates of ocular pain, periventricular plaques, and multiple sclerosis development were observed.
- Unilateral optic neuritis is associated with a more favorable visual prognosis.