What is Perioptic neuritis?

Optic perineuritis (OPN), also known as perioptic neuritis, is a rare form of orbital inflammatory disease in which the optic nerve sheath is inflamed, resulting in marked thickening due to non-specific fibrosis1 as opposed to the inflammation of the optic nerve axons in optic neuritis (ON).

How is neuritis diagnosed?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI scan uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of your body. During an MRI to check for optic neuritis, you might receive an injection of a contrast solution to make the optic nerve and other parts of your brain more visible on the images.

What happens neuritis?

Optic neuritis occurs when swelling (inflammation) damages the optic nerve — a bundle of nerve fibers that transmits visual information from your eye to your brain. Common symptoms of optic neuritis include pain with eye movement and temporary vision loss in one eye.

What causes neuritis?

Common causes include autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis; infection, either bacterial, such as leprosy, or viral, such as varicella zoster; post-infectious immune reactions, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome; or a response to physical injury, as frequently seen in sciatica.

What does optic neuritis look like on MRI?

MRI. Typically findings are most easily identified in the retrobulbar intra-orbital segment of the optic nerve, which appears swollen, with a high T2 signal. High T2 signal persists and may be permanent; chronically the nerve will appear atrophied rather than swollen.

Does having optic neuritis mean I have MS?

Your optic nerve is responsible for transmitting images from your eyes to your brain. Inflammation of this nerve results in optic neuritis. This can cause you to experience vision loss and other troubling symptoms. Optic neuritis is the first sign of MS in about 15 to 20 percent of people who have MS.

Can optic neuritis be cured?

In many cases, optic neuritis is short-lived and resolves by itself without treatment in around four to 12 weeks. The person’s vision improves once the inflammation subsides. In severe or chronic cases, intravenous corticosteroids may be used to speed along recovery.

Can neuritis be cured?

There is no cure for peripheral neuropathy but proper treatment will slow progression and address your symptoms.