Optic Neuritis

What it is

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the nerve that carries signals from the eye to the brain. It often causes blurry vision, a dim or washed-out look in one eye, pain with eye movement, or trouble seeing color. It usually affects one eye at a time and often improves over weeks.

What you might notice

Vision in one eye that looks faded, blurry, or like you are looking through wax paper. Eye movement may hurt. Colors, especially reds, can look washed out.

Why it matters for you

For many people, optic neuritis is the first sign that leads to an MS workup. Knowing the term helps connect vision symptoms with the language used in neurology and eye-care visits.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Has this lasted more than 24 hours?
• Could this be a pseudo-exacerbation (heat, infection, stress)?
• Should I come in for an exam?
• Would steroid treatment help?
• Should I go to the ER?

Related terms

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