Deficits in visual function after resolution of optic neuritis.

A study was done to systematically characterize visual function in eyes with recovered optic neuritis. Thirty-five eyes from 27 patients, all of whom had recovered at least 20/30 Snellen acuity after resolution of the neuritis, were included. Minimum recovery period was 6 months. Abnormalities were found in color vision (57%), contrast sensitivity (72%), perimetry (26%), stereoacuity (80%), light brightness (89%), pupillary reaction (89%), and optic disc appearance (77%). Eighty-five percent of patients complained of at least some subjective disturbance in vision. Subjective visual complaints correlated better with deficits in contrast sensitivity than they did with the other measures. The results of the study indicate that deficits in visual function are common after resolution of optic neuritis.