Optic Neuritis treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and managing symptoms to restore vision and prevent relapses. Around 60-70% of patients recover partial or full vision within weeks to months with treatment. However, it’s vital to monitor for multiple sclerosis development, as optic neuritis is often an early sign. Early intervention significantly reduces the risk of future visual impairment. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, the bundle of nerve fibers that transmits visual information from your eye to your brain. Pain and temporary vision loss are common symptoms of optic neuritis.
Optic neuritis is highly associated with multiple sclerosis, a disease that causes inflammation and damage to nerves in your brain and spinal cord. In some people, signs and symptoms of optic neuritis may be the first indication of multiple sclerosis.
The majority of people with a single episode of optic neuritis eventually recover. The precise cause of optic neuritis remains unknown.
The optic nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Swelling of the nerve can occur due to sudden inflammation. The nerve fibers can be damaged and there can be a short or long-term loss of vision.
Optic Neuritis Treatment at Sanjeevan for Perfect Eyesight
At Sanjeevan for Perfect Eyesight, our integrated approach to treating Optic Neuritis offers diverse natural and holistic remedies. These encompass micro-current stimulation, vision therapy, micro-acupuncture, natural nutritional supplements, and organic treatments curated to aid Optic Neuritis recovery. Leveraging the expertise of Dr. K.K. Goyal and Dr. Suman Goyal, our treatments focus on revitalizing and rejuvenating retinal cells and enhancing vision. Our comprehensive methods address this condition, aiming for holistic improvement and visual wellness. With a range of specialized therapies, we endeavor to optimize optic health and foster vision restoration for individuals with Optic Neuritis.
Treatment Procedure for Optic Neuritis at Sanjeevan for Perfect Eyesight
Optic neuritis treatment in India at Sanjeevan consists of improving the blood circulation to the optic nerve and reducing inflammation. The increased blood circulation helps in the conditioning of the optic nerve which allows it to function better. After treatment patients report to see better colour vision and sharper vision. With the treatment the pain caused to the patients is highly reduced. Ultimately deterioration of the vision can be recovered.
- Vision Therapy: Our vision therapy program is based on the Bates method and includes light adaptation techniques, dark adaptation techniques, and other exercises designed to enhance orientation and adaptability. These exercises focus on improving visual function, depth perception, light perception, and distance adjustment.
- Electro-Acupuncture: This technique involves applying electrical stimulation to specific acupuncture points around and distal to the face. By targeting points such as L1-4, L1-11, GB-34, GB-37, LR-2, K-3, SP-6, and SP-9, we aim to reduce inflammation and blockages to nerves, improve blood circulation to the eyes, and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
- Micro-Acupuncture: Our micro-acupuncture protocol consists of multiple 20-minute treatments in a day, with intervals of two hours between sessions. This therapy targets specific points on the hands and feet using acupuncture needles, effectively complementing other treatment modalities for optic neuritis.
- Micro-Current Stimulation: Micro-current stimulation suggests that non-invasive electrical stimulation applied to the eye holds promise for preserving or restoring vision in various retinal and optic nerve diseases. Our micro-current stimulation therapy incorporates the effective utilization of complementary medicines, enhancing its efficacy in improving visual function.
- Hydrogen Therapy: This treatment stimulates the development of oxidants within the body, strengthening the immune system and supporting overall visual function and health.
- Natural Nutritional Supplements: Our treatment protocol includes the use of various natural nutritional supplements, including Aloe Vera juice, Omega 3-6-9 supplements, and Eye Restore Max supplements enriched with essential vitamins to naturally enhance vision.
Success Rate
The success rate for treating Optic Neuritis has been exceptional, with an impressive 90% improvement observed in patients undergoing treatment. Sanjeevan for Perfect Eyesight has consistently achieved remarkable results, providing patients with the best possible outcomes. Through dedicated therapies and holistic approaches like Vision Therapy, Electro-Acupuncture, and Natural Nutritional Supplements, individuals have experienced significant improvements in their optic neuritis condition. This high success rate stands as a testament to the effectiveness and dedication of Sanjeevan’s treatment methodologies in restoring vision and enhancing the quality of life for those affected by optic neuritis.
Optic Neuritis Results and Success Stories
- Diagnosed with Optic Neuritis at the age of 6, Kaveesh Ahire came to Sanjeevan from the USA. Kaveesh was suffering from Traumatic Optic Neuritis, which occurred when he fell from stairs. Despite undergoing steroid treatment, he couldn’t find improvement in his vision. His mother and father brought him to Sanjeevan, where within 25 days of integrated treatment, Kaveesh witnessed significant improvement in his vision.
- Abhinav Sharma, a 30-year-old individual, was diagnosed with Optic Neuritis after being involved in an accident. He experienced loss of both central and peripheral vision as a result. However, within just 15 days of undergoing vision therapy, acupuncture, and natural nutritional supplements, he noticed significant improvement in his eyesight.
Conditions that have been linked with Optic Neuritis include:
- Autoimmune diseases, such as Behcet’s disease and lupus, sarcoidosis
- Cryptococcosis, a fungal infection
- Bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, syphilis, Lyme disease, and meningitis
- Viral infections, including measles, rubella, viral encephalitis, chickenpox, herpes zoster, mumps, and mononucleosis
- Respiratory infections, including Mycoplasma pneumonia and other common upper respiratory tract infections
- Multiple sclerosis
Symptoms may include:
- Loss of vision in one eye in an hour or in a few hours
- Reaction of the pupil to bright light
- Loss of color vision
- Pain when you move the eye
- A complete medical exam can help rule out related diseases. Tests may include:
- Color vision testing
- MRI of the brain including special images of the optic nerve
- Visual acuity testing
- Visual field testing
- Examination of the optic disc using indirect ophthalmoscopy
Complications may include:
- Body-wide side effects from corticosteroids
- Vision loss
- Some people who have an episode of optic neuritis will develop nerve problems in other places in the body or develop multiple sclerosis.
Optic neuritis commonly involves the central area of your vision. However, any area of your vision (your visual field) may be affected. Central vision is the sight which you use for daily activities such as watching television, reading as well as recognizing people and doing close tasks that require detailed vision.
Losing some of your field of view may also mean that you have difficulties with depth perception. This may result in problems related to judging distances and may make doing regular activities such as crossing roads, pouring liquid into a cup or going up and down stairs, more difficult.
Some people with optic neuritis describe seeing flashing or flickering lights. You may also find that your colour vision is affected. Certain colour such as red, may appear faded or less bright than usual. In addition, you may notice that you are less able to pick out objects against their backgrounds, particularly if they are a similar shade or colour, for example reading yellow text on a yellow background. This is described as having reduced contrast sensitivity.
Temporarily the vision in the affected eye may also worsen due to heat but this may improve once cooled down.
When your vision is first affected it may be common to experience discomfort or pain around your eyes, which might get worse when you move your eyes. This pain should not be so great that it stops you sleeping at night. There may be another cause if the pain is much worse and then it is important to consult an eye specialist. The pain normally only last a few days.
Optic neuritis commonly involves the central area of your vision. However, any area of your vision (your visual field) may be affected. Central vision is the sight which you use for reading, watching television, using a computer as well as recognising people’s faces and doing close tasks that require detailed vision.
Losing some of your field of view may also mean that you have difficulties with depth perception. This may cause problems with judging distances and may make daily activities such as crossing roads or pouring liquid into a cup or going up and down stairs or curbs, more difficult. You may need to take more time when doing these things.
Some people with optic neuritis describe seeing flashing or flickering lights. Colour vision may also be affected. Bright colours such as reds, may appear faded. Additionally, a person may experience a reduced ability to pick out objects against their backgrounds, particularly if they are of the same shade. This condition is described as reduced contrast sensitivity.
Heat may temporarily worsen the vision in the affected eye but this generally improves once the eye is cooled down.
When initially the vision is affected, experiencing pain or discomfort around the eyes may be common, which might worsen on moving the eyes. It will normally only last a few days.
Prognosis
Early improvement happens as inflammation goes down and your optic nerve begins to recover. Vision recovery is likely to happen quickly at first, but may gradually slow down. Your vision may continue to improve over a period of six months to a year and by about nine to twelve months it is likely to be clear what the final recovery of your vision is.
Predicting how good the vision will be in the long-term, is difficult. If the eye is affected by optic neuritis for the first time, then the vision might improve even if the effect was severe to begin with. Around 75% of people diagnosed with the most common type of optic neuritis, eventually experience a very good long term recovery.
Following an episode of optic neuritis the ophthalmologist or optician may be able to see some lasting damage to the optic nerve when they examine the back of your eye. This lasting damage is known as optic atrophy.
For some people this could mean at some permanent visual changes might remain even after an initial improvement. These can include colours appearing faded and difficulty identifying different shades of colour.
You may also notice that your vision isn’t as sharp as it used to be and/or that you struggle with your perception of depth or movement. These symptoms can be present even if your central vision is good when tested by your ophthalmologist or optician.
In some rare cases, no significant improvement in vision may be achieved and a reduced vision may still persist even after improvement in inflammation occurs. Despite a person having some optic atrophy which is diagnosed during eye examination, it is possible not to have any noticeable lasting symptoms or changes in the vision.
A careful history related to fever, neurological symptoms, recent illness, or recent immunizations is helpful. The ophthalmologist checks vision and function of optic nerve such as color vision, pupil reactions and peripheral vision. Examination of the optic nerve with ophthalmoscopy for dilated blood vessels and swelling is also done. Other tests performed may include a spinal tap, an MRI, and blood tests.
Fortunately, in majority of cases, children with optic neuritis recover most of their vision. This usually occurs suddenly and treatment may not be needed. Recovery usually begins within a few weeks, and can continue for several months. Administration of intravenous corticosteroids may help in speedy vision recovery, but mostly do not result in improvement of the final visual outcome. Unfortunately, a small percentage of children do not recover vision.
Diagnosis of Optic Neuritis
Optic Neuritis involves inflammation of the optic nerve, leading to vision impairment, often accompanied by pain during eye movement. Diagnosis includes a comprehensive eye examination, assessing visual acuity, color vision, and visual field. Additionally, doctors might conduct imaging tests like OCT and Perimetry to observe nerve damage. Symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, or seeing flashing lights prompt evaluation. Optic Neuritis is commonly associated with conditions like multiple sclerosis. Timely diagnosis aids in managing symptoms and identifying underlying causes, enabling prompt treatment to alleviate inflammation and preserve optic nerve function, preventing further vision deterioration.
FAQS
Can Optic Neuritis be Cured?
Optic Neuritis often resolves on its own within 4 to 12 weeks without treatment, leading to improved vision once inflammation fades. In severe or persistent cases, doctors may administer intravenous corticosteroids to hasten recovery.
What is the main cause of Optic Neuritis?
Optic Neuritis’s cause isn’t always evident, possibly stemming from infections. It frequently occurs in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), with around 50% of MS patients experiencing it. Often, it serves as an initial indication of MS, a progressive neurological disorder.
How painful is Optic Neuritis?
Optic neuritis can be painful, especially when moving your eyes. Typically, this discomfort lasts a few days and shouldn’t significantly disrupt sleep. If the pain becomes severe enough to affect sleep, it might indicate another underlying cause.
Can stress cause Optic Neuritis?
Long-term stress and anxiety can potentially harm the optic nerve. Practicing mindfulness meditation, seeking mental health counseling, and embracing stress-relief techniques could mitigate these effects and potentially decelerate the advancement of eye conditions.
Can a brain tumor cause Optic Neuritis?
Yes, While eye issues commonly arise from conditions like astigmatism, cataracts, detached retina, or age-related degeneration, occasionally, they can be attributed to brain tumors, although this occurrence is less frequent.