Change of visual acuity and related factors in idiopathic optic neuritis.

PURPOSE: To study the change of visual acuity and related factors in idiopathic optic neuritis.

METHODS

Retrospectively studying 136 cases (210 eyes) of idiopathic optic neuritis hospitalized in our department during last 5 years. The data was analyzed with the methods of multivariate stepwise regression analysis by SPSS statistic package.

RESULTS

The final visual acuity was very strongly related positively to the initial visual acuity at the time point of starting treatment and negatively to the time span beginning the treatment to the time showing improvement, age of patient and the duration from onset of the disorder to the time point of treatment beginning.

CONCLUSIONS

Promptly right treatment can significantly change the natural course and the final vision of optic neuritis. Severe visual loss, old age, longer time without right therapy and slow improvement after the treatment may indicate an unfavorable final visual recovery. The different dosages of steroid applied in this study was not significant in view of the final visual acuity.