[To improve understanding of etiology of optic neuritis in China].

Domestic ophthalmologists have different understandings on the causes of optic neuritis. Some of them consider infection is the main cause, some believe that so-called idiopathic optic neuritis caused by central nervous system primary demyelinating disease, such as multiple sclerosis is the most common type of optic neuritis, while others suggest that optic neuritis is attributed to autoimmune disease. Based on the review of literatures, we describe the development of definition and etiology of optic neuritis in Western countries and in China, and then provide some suggestion to a better understanding of etiology of optic neuritis in China. We also expect to have a population-based, multiple-center study to provide more extensive and accurate data on the etiology of optic neuritis in China.