Optic neuritis

Patients should be encouraged to contact their doctor immediately for any recurrence of symptoms in the affected or fellow eye or for development of new neurological symptoms.

The physician seeing the patient with an isolated episode of optic neuritis (ON), after ruling out systemic inflammatory conditions or the other conditions listed in the differential diagnosis, should explain the nature of the condition and give an estimate of the likelihood of recurrence. In many circumstances neurological or ophthalmological referral is indicated, and the relationship of ON to MS should ideally be discussed by the physician who is most likely to be involved in the longer-term care of the patient.