Optic Neuritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Optic Neuritis?
An ophthalmologist, a medical doctor who treats eye diseases, usually diagnoses and treats optic neuritis. A neurologist, a doctor who treats diseases of the brain and nerves, may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is optic neuritis?
The optic nerve carries images of what the eye sees to the brain. When this nerve becomes swollen or inflamed, it is called optic neuritis. It may cause sudden, reduced vision in the affected eye.
The swelling can damage nerve fibers. This can cause short or long-term loss of vision. You can have optic neuritis in one or both eyes.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Loss of vision in one eye over an hour or a few hours.
- Blurry vision.
- Dim vision, as if someone turned down the lights.
- Loss of color vision, or colors that look dull and faded.
- Changes in the way the pupil reacts to bright light.
- Pain when you move your eye.
- Pain in the back of your eye socket.
Symptoms may come on all of a sudden or build up over a few days. They can be worse when you are hot or very tired. If optic neuritis is not treated, its symptoms can get worse.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause of optic neuritis is unknown. Conditions that have been linked with optic neuritis include:
- Autoimmune diseases, including lupus, sarcoidosis, and Behcet disease.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, syphilis, Lyme disease, and meningitis.
- Viral infections, including measles, mumps, chickenpox, and the flu.
- Cryptococcosis, a fungal infection.
Some people who have an episode of optic neuritis will develop nerve problems in other places in the body or develop multiple sclerosis.
How doctors diagnose it
A complete medical exam can help check for related diseases. An eye doctor looks inside your eye with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope to see if the optic nerve is swollen. Other tests may include:
- Color vision testing.
- Visual acuity testing.
- Visual field testing, which checks your side vision.
- A check of how your pupils respond to light.
- An MRI of the brain, including special images of the optic nerve.
An MRI is an important test because it can help predict if multiple sclerosis or other similar autoimmune diseases are present or may develop. Further tests may be needed to try to find the cause.
Treatment
Vision often returns to normal within 2 to 3 weeks with no treatment. Some people get better without any treatment, but many people need treatment to improve vision or keep their symptoms from getting worse.
The most common treatment is a medicine called corticosteroids, or steroids. Steroids given through a vein or taken by mouth may speed up recovery. However, the final vision is no better with steroids than without. Oral steroids may actually increase the chance of recurrence. Steroids can also cause side effects in the whole body.
If tests suggest that there is also multiple sclerosis, other types of treatment may be helpful. If a condition is causing the problem, it may be treated. When optic neuritis occurs without other diseases, the outlook is better. When it is caused by multiple sclerosis or other autoimmune diseases, the outlook is poorer. However, vision in the affected eye may still return to normal.
When to see a doctor
Contact your health care provider right away if you have a sudden loss of vision in one eye, especially if you have eye pain. It is very important to see an ophthalmologist if you have optic neuritis symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with optic neuritis, contact your provider if:
- Your vision decreases.
- The pain in the eye gets worse.
- Your symptoms do not improve within 2 to 3 weeks.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type of doctor can review your symptoms and health history, help you keep up with follow-up visits, and refer you to an eye specialist.
Common questions
Does optic neuritis go away on its own?
Often, yes. Vision often returns to normal within 2 to 3 weeks with no treatment. Contact your provider if your symptoms do not improve within 2 to 3 weeks.
Is optic neuritis linked to multiple sclerosis?
Yes, multiple sclerosis is one of the conditions linked with optic neuritis. Some people who have an episode of optic neuritis will develop multiple sclerosis.
What does optic neuritis feel like?
It can cause pain when you move your eye. It can also cause blurry or dim vision and colors that look dull and faded.
Can optic neuritis affect both eyes?
Yes, you can have optic neuritis in one or both eyes.
How do doctors treat optic neuritis?
Doctors most often use steroids. Steroids given through a vein or taken by mouth may speed up recovery. However, the final vision is no better with steroids than without.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
