Retrobulbar Neuritis

What Is It?

Retrobulbar neuritis is a form of optic neuritis in which the optic nerve, which is at the back of the eye, becomes inflamed. The inflamed area is between the back of the eye and the brain. The optic nerve contains fibers that carry visual information from the nerve cells in the retina to the nerve cells in the brain. When these fibers become inflamed, visual signaling to the brain becomes disrupted, and vision is impaired.

Retrobulbar neuritis can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Infections such as meningitis, syphilis, and various viral illnesses

• Multiple sclerosis

• Tumors

• Exposure to certain chemicals or drugs

• Allergic reactions

However, in many cases, the cause is unknown. Vision loss can be minimal or the disease can result in complete blindness.

The average age of people who develop optic neuritis is 32. Most are female, and the vast majority also have pain when they move their eyes. Retrobulbar neuritis often is an early sign that someone has multiple sclerosis. Between 20% and 40% of the 25,000 people who develop optic neuritis in the United States each year will develop multiple sclerosis within 10 years.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually worsen for two weeks and then stabilize. However, the course of the illness varies greatly. Most cases show some improvement over time, although complete recovery is rare. Optic neuritis usually affects only one eye, but both eyes may be affected. Common symptoms include:

• Blurred or dimmed vision

• A blind spot at or near the center of vision

• Color "wash-out" so that colors are less rich

• Pain with eye movement

• Tenderness of the eye to touch or pressure

• Complete blindness in the affected eye