This disease is expected to have a yearly incidence of 5 per 100,000 people. So, don’t ignore sudden blindness or sharp pain in one of your eyes the next time you experience it because your symptoms could suggest a more serious problem. Read on to learn more about optic neuritis and how to treat it naturally. Scroll down!
What Is Optic Neuritis?
Optic neuritis (ON) is a medical condition resulting from the inflammation of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for carrying visual information from your eyes to your brain. An inflammation in this nerve can cause temporary vision loss in one or both eyes and may also be accompanied by pain. However, as the inflammation subsides, you are likely to get your vision back. Optic neuritis is also referred to as optic papillitis if the affected part of the nerve is the head, or as retrobulbar neuritis if the posterior part of the optic nerve is involved. When both parts of the optic nerve are inflamed, the condition is known as bilateral optic neuritis. Most individuals affected by optic neuritis tend to get their vision back in 2 to 3 months. But it may take up to 12 months for complete recovery. The onset of optic neuritis is typically characterized by three common symptoms. Back To TOC
Signs And Symptoms
Individuals who develop optic neuritis usually exhibit three major symptoms. They are:
Loss of vision in any one of the eyes that may be mild or severe and may last for 7 to 10 days Pain around the affected eye that worsens with any kind of eye movement (periocular pain) Inability to detect colors correctly (dyschromatopsia)
Other symptoms that may also be seen in individuals with optic neuritis are:
A perception of flashing lights in one or both eyes (photopsia) Changes in the reaction of the pupil to bright lights (constriction) Worsening of vision due to an increase in the body temperature
Most cases of optic neuritis are idiopathic, i.e., their cause remains undetected. However, conditions and factors that are believed to cause optic neuritis are listed below. Back To TOC
Causes Of And Risk Factors For Optic Neuritis
One of the most commonly known causes of optic neuritis is multiple sclerosis (MS). Other diseases that are associated with the development of optic neuritis are:
Neuromyelitis optica Schilder’s disease: A demyelinating disease of the central nervous system Sarcoidosis: A disease that causes inflammation in many of the body’s tissues and organs
Infections that are associated with optic neuritis are:
Measles Tuberculosis Mumps Encephalitis (viral) Sinusitis Shingles Lyme disease
Other factors that can also put you at a higher risk of developing optic neuritis include:
Vaccinations: Certain vaccinations can cause an immune response following their administration. Exposure to some chemicals or drugs Gender and Age: Females between 18 and 45 years of age are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Living at high altitudes Some genetic mutations increase the risk of developing optic neuritis.
In rare cases, optic neuritis can also lead to complications. Back To TOC
Complications
Complications that may arise from optic neuritis are:
Permanent damage to the optic nerve Partial loss of ability to discriminate between colors due to decreased visual acuity Side effects such as weakened immunity, weight gain, or mood changes from steroid medications often used to treat optic neuritis
Eye conditions are often serious and can cause permanent loss of vision and other issues related to it. Therefore, in the event of any of the following, consult your doctor or healthcare provider immediately. Back To TOC
When To See A Doctor?
You should contact your doctor immediately if:
you develop any new symptoms in addition to the existing ones you develop unusual symptoms like numbness or weakness symptoms worsen or don’t show any improvement with treatment
You can also visit your doctor to confirm your condition and rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. Back To TOC
Diagnosis
The ophthalmologist may conduct any of the following tests to diagnose your condition:
An eye examination in which vision and perception of colors are measured. Ophthalmoscopy: A test that involves shining a bright light towards the eyes to evaluate the optic disks. A pupillary light reaction test in which a flashlight is directed towards the eyes to see how they respond to the light.
A few other tests that may be used for diagnosing optic neuritis include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood tests, and optical coherence tomography. Your doctor may also ask you to return for a follow-up appointment. Once you are diagnosed with optic neuritis, you may be assisted in a number of ways to help improve your condition faster. The following are some of the medications often prescribed to patients with optic neuritis to reduce the inflammation of the optic nerve. Back To TOC
Medical Treatments
Medical treatments for optic neuritis usually include:
Intravenous steroid therapy Plasma exchange therapy
These therapies help in speeding your recovery from optic neuritis. On the downside, such medical treatments may also lead to varying side effects like weight gain, mood changes, insomnia, facial flushing, etc. If you want to combat optic neuritis without having to face the side effects associated with the potential medications used to treat this, here are some excellent natural alternatives. Back To TOC
How To Treat Optic Neuritis Naturally
8 Natural Remedies To Treat Optic Neuritis
1. Vitamins
Many vitamins have a positive effect on individuals with optic neuritis. Vitamins C, D, and B12 were found to be effective in treating cases of optic neuritis (2), (3), (4). To aid in restoring these varying deficiencies, you can consume foods rich in these nutrients like citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, fresh fish, cheese, eggs, poultry, and dairy. You can also take additional supplements that provide these vitamins after having a word with your doctor or healthcare provider. Back To TOC
2. Essential Oils
a. Lavender Oil
6 drops of lavender oil 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or other carrier oil
Do this 1 to 2 times daily. Lavender essential oil is one of the best remedies for treating optic neuritis. It exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities that soothe inflammation of the optic nerve (5). Lavender oil also helps in reducing pain and headaches associated with optic neuritis.
b. Peppermint Oil
6 drops of peppermint oil 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or other carrier oil
Do this once daily. Peppermint oil is soothing, cooling, and pain-relieving – thanks to its menthol content. These properties of peppermint oil help in combating the pain and inflammation associated with optic neuritis (6). Many essential oils are not suitable for children. Hence, use peppermint oil for children under five only after consulting a doctor. Back To TOC
3. Soybean Milk
1 cup of soybean milk 1 teaspoon of honey
Drink this once daily. The anti-inflammatory activities of soybean help in relieving pain and inflammation (7). Regular consumption of soy milk can work wonderfully in treating an inflamed optic nerve. This study was conducted on a population Back To TOC
4. Barley
¼ cup of barley ½ cup of water
Drink this mixture 1 to 2 times daily. Barley is a rich source of nutrients like selenium and magnesium. These nutrients exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory activities that are quite effective in reducing inflammation associated with optic neuritis (8). Back To TOC
5. Epsom Salt
1 cup of Epsom salt Water
Do this once daily for a few weeks. One of the main constituents of Epsom salt is magnesium. Magnesium reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines in the body (9). Back To TOC
6. Cold Compress
A cold compress Do this 2 to 3 times daily. Cold compresses help reduce the inflammation and pain in the affected eye. This is because cold compresses have numbing and anti-inflammatory effects that can help manage the pain and reduce swelling of the optic nerve (10). Back To TOC
7. Green Tea
½ teaspoon of green tea 1 cup of hot water
Drink green tea twice daily for optimum benefits. Green tea is full of beneficial polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help treat inflammatory diseases like optic neuritis (11). Back To TOC
8. Yogurt
1 bowl of plain yogurt Consume a bowl of plain yogurt. Do this once every other day. Yogurt is a rich source of many nutrients like vitamin b12, calcium, and potassium that can help alleviate the symptoms of optic neuritis and its inflammatory symptoms (12). If you have an allergy or sensitivity to dairy, avoid yogurt made from cow’s milk. Optic neuritis is an inflammatory condition and what you eat also plays a major role in your recovery. For better effectiveness of the home remedies, follow the diet tips discussed below. Back To TOC
Best Diet For Optic Neuritis
If you have been suffering from optic neuritis, you should try and stick to an anti-inflammatory diet. When possible, aim for organic produce and free-range grass-fed animal products.
Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel Citrus fruits Green leafy vegetables Eggs Soybean Avocados
You should also avoid certain foods to allow your treatment options to work better.
Alcohol Sugar White pasta White rice White bread Noodles Cereals
In short, a gluten-free diet or one that is as low as possible in refined sugars and genetically modified grains is appropriate to speed your recovery from optic neuritis. There are also lifestyle changes you can make to prevent your optic nerve from becoming inflamed in the future. Back To TOC
Prevention Tips
Follow a diet rich in nutritional foods and avoid foods that are pro-inflammatory. Protect your eyes from injuries during sports and other activities by wearing protective gear. Visit your ophthalmologist regularly to prevent worsening of your symptoms.
Back To TOC How long does optic neuritis last? Symptoms of optic neuritis usually improve in about three months. However, some individuals may take longer, say 12 months, to show complete improvement. Is optic neuritis permanent? There is an 85% chance for those suffering from optic neuritis to permanently damage their optic nerve. But optic neuritis in itself is not permanent and usually resolves in 4 to 12 weeks. Can glasses help optic neuritis? Glasses cannot help with symptoms of color blindness or any other symptoms associated with optic neuritis but can help with blurry vision. How do you know if your optic nerve is damaged? If your vision has become relatively decreased all of a sudden and if it is also accompanied by pain around your eyes, there is a high chance that you may have damaged your optic nerve. Can stress cause optic neuritis? Yes, the imbalance in the autonomous neuronal system and the dysregulation of the vascular system caused by ongoing stress and elevated cortisol levels may increase the risk of optic neuritis (11). Does optic neuritis always lead to MS? While optic neuritis does not lead to MS (a chronic disease that damages the optic nerve and the nerves in your brain and spinal cord), it can be a predictive indicator. Optic neuritis arises when the immune system destroys the myelin coating that shields the healthy, protective optic nerve in those with or without multiple sclerosis. According to a study, in 15–20% of MS patients, optic neuritis was the initial symptom of the disease (12). Can Covid affect the optic nerve? Possibly. The COVID-19 infection may cause unilateral or bilateral optic neuritis (13).
