Mega dose intravenous methylprednisolone in bilateral simultaneous optic neuritis.

OBJECTIVES

The study was carried out to assess the efficacy of megadose intravenous methylprednisolone in patients of bilateral simultaneous optic neuropathy (BSON) of unknown etiology.

METHODS

Fifteen consecutive patients admitted in neurology unit were included in the study. These patients were subjected to various investigations including MRI and CSF exam to exclude all known causes of optic neuropathy including multiple sclerosis. All patients were put on single dose intravenous methylprednisolone, 1 gm/day in adults and 500 mg/day in children for three days. Pre and post-treatment visual parameters including visual evoked potentials (VEP) were carried out.

RESULTS

There was a female preponderance and the average age was 28 years. The visual acuity and P100 latences of visual evoked potentials (VEP) improved in all cases. The improvement was statistically significant (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Use of intravenous methylprednisolone is a preferred drug in bilateral simultaneous optic neuropathy (BSON) as compared to oral or retrobulbar steroids.