What is optic neuritis?

Optic neuritis (pronounced op-tuk nyuor-rai-tuhs) means inflammation (swelling) of your optic nerve. It can affect your vision in the short term, but for most people, the condition normally gets better on its own and doesn’t usually cause any significant lasting loss of vision. Often, the cause of optic neuritis is unknown, and an episode of optic neuritis is not necessarily a sign of another health condition.

There are different types of optic neuritis and these include:

  • Demyelinating optic neuritis
  • Optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Optic neuritis and neuromyelitis optica (NMO)
  • Parainfectious optic neuritis
  • Infectious optic neuritis
  • Non-infectious optic neuritis

How does it affect your vision?

Optic neuritis usually causes a reduction or loss of vision in at least one eye, so that your vision becomes blurred, dim, or faded. Optic neuritis commonly affects the central area of your vision, causing it to become blurry and unclear. However, any area of your visual field may be affected. 

Some people with optic neuritis describe seeing flashing or flickering lights. You may also find that your colour vision is affected. 

Your vision in the affected eye may also temporarily worsen due to heat, for example after a bath, or if you exercise, although this should improve again once you cool down.

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