Optic Neuritis

Question 1

What would you see on fundoscopy of a patient with optic neuritis?

Answer 1

Pale optic disc with blurred margins

Question 2

What would you see on eye exam of a patient with optic neuritis?

Answer 2

RAPD

Central scotoma on visual field testing

Reduced visual acuity on affected side

Question 3

What is optic neuritis?

Answer 3

Inflammatory process affecting the optic nerve

Question 4

What is optic atrophy?

Answer 4

Often a sequelae of optic neuritis.

Question 5

What are the causes of optic atrophy?

Answer 5

Congenital: Friedrich’s ataxia

Acquired: Post optic neuritis, compression from SOL, ischaemia (temporal arteritis), toxins (methanol, cyanide),

Other: Trauma, glaucoma

Question 6

What are the causes of optic neuritis?

Answer 6

Demyelination: MS and neuromyelitis optica

Infections: Lyme disease, HIV, EBV

Inflammation: Syphilis, TB, sarcoid

Question 7

What is ischaemic optic neuropathy?

Answer 7

Describes infarction of the anterior optic nerve –> acute severe loss of vision. Commonest cause is temporal arteritis