Optic Nerve Swelling

Learn about Optic Nerve Swelling

Optic nerve swelling may be common but that certainly doesn’t mean it is something you want to be bothered by. The swelling is the result of the optic nerve in the eye being inflamed. The effects of this really depends on what nerves have been affected. For some individuals they will find that they have blurred vision. Other people can see fine but they have a type of pain in the eye that is caused by itching and burning sensations.

Almost all individuals with optic nerve swelling report some type of pain. However, the severity of it can vary from one person to the next. The pain may come and go or it can be constant. The eye may be very tender when you touch around it. For individuals that wear contacts or glasses it could be a further aggravation.

Seeing colors differently is commonly reported due to optic nerve swelling. However, it isn’t noticed by everyone. Other physical symptoms can occur including nausea, headaches, and a fever. This is caused by the differences in vision and that can put additional stress on the body. It can also alter the overall sense of presence you have such as your balance. This is why some people think they have the flue or something rather than realizing it has to do with the nerves in the eye.

Your vision isn’t anything to fool around with. If you are experiencing pain or changes in vision you need to have it looked at right away. Optic nerve swelling won’t usually go away on its own without recurring later on. If it gets bad enough the only solution may be to have surgery. If it is treated in time though fish oil supplements and prescription eye drops may be all that is required to get the problem under control.

There are some types of health problems though that can create optic nerve swelling. In those instances a variety of different treatments may be need to get the problem under control. Individuals with diabetes or Multiple Sclerosis are more likely to be affected by this type of problem.

Your goal should be to get the problem identified as quickly as you can. The last thing you want is to suffer permanent vision damage due to optic nerve swelling. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids in order to help reduce the inflammation. The recovery time can range from just a couple of days to several months. It depends on your overall health and the severity of the problem.

Due to the medical concerns involved with it, don’t just stop at the ophthalmologist. Many people do and this can certainly get you some relief. Yet if you are in the early stages of a serious health problem it is best to find out now. The sooner intervention can be done the better chance you will have of the treatment being non-invasive. You will also reduce your chances of optic nerve swelling becoming a chronic problem for you.

For those that aren’t responding well to the corticosteroids, another type that is given through an IV may be tried. They are more powerful than oral steroids because all of it gets into the bloodstream. More than half of all individuals will have a recurrence of optic nerve swelling later on too.

Finding a type of treatment that does work well is important. Regular checkups by both an ophthalmologist and a regular physician are also important. Regular routine checkups can help to get an early diagnosis if there is an underlying problem. Any time you experience any of the symptoms listed here though you should schedule an appointment.