The clinical profile of optic neuritis. Experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. Optic Neuritis Study Group

The baseline characteristics of 448 eligible patients entered into the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial are described in an effort to summarize the clinical profile of acute optic neuritis. A total of 77.2% of the patients were women. Mean age was 31.8 years. Pain accompanied the visual loss in 92.2% of cases. The optic disc appeared swollen in 35.3% of the patients and normal in 64.7%. A wide variety of visual field defects were present. Abnormalities in asymptomatic fellow eyes were noted, particularly on perimetry. Magnetic resonance imaging showed changes consistent with demyelination of the brain in 48.7% of the patients. Magnetic resonance imaging, serologic studies (such as the antinuclear antibody test and the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test), chest roentgenography, and lumbar puncture were of limited utility in defining a cause for visual loss other than optic neuritis associated with demyelinative disease.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Treatment of Acute Optic Neuritis: A Summary of Findings From the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial
Beck and Gal
Arch Ophthalmol 2008;126:994-995.
FULL TEXT  

The Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial: A Definitive Answer and Profound Impact With Unexpected Results
Volpe
Arch Ophthalmol 2008;126:996-999.
FULL TEXT  

Multiple Sclerosis Risk After Optic Neuritis: Final Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial Follow-up
The Optic Neuritis Study Group
Arch Neurol 2008;65:727-732.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Changes in Cellular Structures Revealed by Ultra-high Resolution Retinal Imaging in Optic Neuropathies
Choi et al.
IOVS 2008;49:2103-2119.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Clinical Course of Optic Neuritis in Patients With Relapsing Neuromyelitis Optica
Papais-Alvarenga et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 2008;126:12-16.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Relationship between Visual Field and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Measurements in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Cheng et al.
IOVS 2007;48:5798-5805.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The relationship between HLA-DRB1 alleles and optic neuritis in Irish patients and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis
Tuwir et al.
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2007;91:1288-1292.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Visual function at baseline and 1 month in acute optic neuritis: Predictors of visual outcome
Kupersmith et al.
Neurology 2007;69:508-514.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Neuro-Ophthalmology for Neuroradiologists
Jacobs and Galetta
Am. J. Neuroradiol. 2007;28:3-8.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Retinal ganglion cell loss induced by acute optic neuritis in a relapsing model of multiple sclerosis
Shindler et al.
Mult Scler 2006;12:526-532.
ABSTRACT  

Clinical profile of simultaneous bilateral optic neuritis in adults
de la Cruz and Kupersmith
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2006;90:551-554.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Clinical practice. Optic neuritis.
Balcer
NEJM 2006;354:1273-1280.
FULL TEXT  

A serial MRI study following optic nerve mean area in acute optic neuritis
Hickman et al.
Brain 2004;127:2498-2505.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Long-term Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Changes After Optic Neuritis in Patients Without Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis
Optic Neuritis Study Group
Arch Neurol 2004;61:1538-1541.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Neurologic Impairment 10 Years After Optic Neuritis
Optic Neuritis Study Group
Arch Neurol 2004;61:1386-1389.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Use of corticosteroid sparing systemic immunosuppression for treatment of corticosteroid dependent optic neuritis not associated with demyelinating disease
Myers et al.
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2004;88:673-680.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Serial magnetization transfer imaging in acute optic neuritis
Hickman et al.
Brain 2004;127:692-700.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Corticosteroids do not prevent optic nerve atrophy following optic neuritis
Hickman et al.
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 2003;74:1139-1141.
FULL TEXT  

High- and Low-Risk Profiles for the Development of Multiple Sclerosis Within 10 Years After Optic Neuritis: Experience of the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial
Optic Neuritis Study Group*
Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:944-949.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Scanning Laser Polarimetry of Edematous and Atrophic Optic Nerve Heads
Banks et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:484-490.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy (CRION)
Kidd et al.
Brain 2003;126:276-284.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Contrast-enhanced MRI in acute optic neuritis: relationship to visual performance
Kupersmith et al.
Brain 2002;125:812-822.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Intramuscular Interferon Beta-1A Therapy Initiated during a First Demyelinating Event in Multiple Sclerosis
Jacobs et al.
NEJM 2000;343:898-904.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Practice parameter: The role of corticosteroids in the management of acute monosymptomatic optic neuritis: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology
Kaufman et al.
Neurology 2000;54:2039-2044.
FULL TEXT  

New low-contrast vision charts: reliability and test characteristics in patients with multiple sclerosis
Balcer et al.
Mult Scler 2000;6:163-171.
ABSTRACT  

The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire: Experience of the ONTT
Cole et al.
IOVS 2000;41:1017-1021.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Optic Neuritis in African Americans
Phillips et al.
Arch Neurol 1998;55:186-192.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Effect of Corticosteroids for Acute Optic Neuritis on the Subsequent Development of Multiple Sclerosis
Beck et al.
NEJM 1993;329:1764-1769.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT