Recurrent inflammatory optic neuropathy

• Published in: Journal francais d'ophtalmologie Vol. 31; no. 4; p. 363
• Main Authors: Arndt, C, Labauge, P, Speeg-Schatz, C, Jeanjean, L, Fleury, M, Castelnovo, G, Ballonzolli, L, Blanc, F, Carlander, B, De Sèze, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-04-2008
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Optic Neuritis - diagnosis; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 1773-0597
• DOI: 10.1016/S0181-5512(08)71430-X

To analyze clinical and paraclinical characteristics of recurrent isolated optic neuropathy.
and method: In three university hospitals (Montpellier, Nimes, and Strasbourg), between October 2005 and September 2006, the charts of patients with corticosensitive recurrent isolated optic neuropathy and normal cerebral magnetic resonance imaging included prospectively were reviewed. The following parameters were analyzed: date of the first relapse, age at onset, duration at the time of inclusion, recurrence after steroid withdrawal, unilateral or bilateral involvement, number of relapses, visual acuity, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, diagnostic workup, and long-term treatment with immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs.
During the predefined period, 13 patients (11 women, 2 men; age, 17-54 years at onset) matched the inclusion criteria. Between two and six relapses of optic neuropathy were observed. The median duration was 4 years. In untreated patients (n=7), a significant (Spearman p=0.0156) inverse correlation was observed between visual acuity and duration of the disease; this correlation was not found in the group of patients (n=6) with long-term treatment (Spearman p=0.1032).
The progressive loss of vision over time in this retrospective study of recurrent isolated optic neuropathy could be related to axonal loss. A prospective cohort study is necessary to confirm this hypothesis and to evaluate the benefit of long-term treatment on this progression.