Things You'll Need

Instructions

How to Treat Optic Neuritis

1

Do nothing. An eye affected by optic neuritis often returns to normal within two to three weeks with no treatment. Most people who experience a single episode of optic neuritis eventually recover their vision without taking any type of medicine.
2

Visit a doctor. If two to three weeks seem too long, see the doctor about medicine that can be prescribed. Also contact the doctor if the eye pain is unbearable or if the symptoms worsen. If a person has optic neuritis and experience new eye pain, worsening vision or symptoms that don't improve, then talking to a doctor would be necessary. Also, talk to the doctor if you have unusual symptoms, including numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, which may indicate a neurological disorder.
3

Take intravenous steroids. The doctor will probably prescribe steroid therapy intravenously (by vein) for several days. Intravenous steroid therapy may accelerate vision recovery.
4

Take oral steroids. After intravenous steroid therapy, a doctor may prescribe an oral steroid called prednisone for several weeks. Oral steroids are prescribed after intravenous steroids because studies have shown that taking oral steroids alone can result in a recurrence of optic neuritis.
5

Get plasma exchange therapy. In cases in which steroid therapy has failed and severe vision loss persists, plasma exchange therapy may help some people recover their vision. Plasma exchange therapy is when plasma is removed from blood cells by a cell separator. The cells are returned to the person undergoing treatment, while the plasma, which contains the antibodies, is discarded and replaced with other fluids.