﻿ Optic Neuritis Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - How is optic
neuritis diagnosed? - MedicineNet  Optic Neuritis (cont.)
Medical Author: Medical Editor:  How is optic neuritis
diagnosed?  Optic neuritis is suspected based on the
characteristic history of eye pain and vision loss. The standard
exam includes visual acuity, pupillary reduction, visual field
evaluation, color vision testing, and visualization of the optic
disc by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy.  A person
experiencing a first episode of optic neuritis should undergo an
MRI of the brain to look for the central nervous system lesions
associated with MS. The MRI may also show an enlarged optic
nerve.  Visual symptoms usually progress for the first couple
weeks, and then start to improve within the first month. If the
course of recovery is not typical, then there are a number of
blood tests like the sed rate, thyroid function, antinuclear
antibodies, etc. that can be performed to look for other causes
of optic neuritis/neuropathy.  What is the treat